Two policemen died while four others were wounded in an ambush allegedly perpetrated by the communist rebels in Northern Samar on Saturday, Nov. 20.
The two fatalities are rookie cops and were undergoing Special Action Force Commando Course (SAFCC) along with the four other wounded policemen. The SAFCC students were alerted by the local Barangay Information Network about the presence of armed men in the community.
Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the casualties were among the group of policemen who engaged undetermined number of communist rebels at around 7 a.m. in Barangay Lonoy, Gamay town.
Carlos said pursuit operations are now being conducted by the local police and military forces.
"The PNP Air Unit sprung into action to provide air support to ground operation and medical evacuation of wounded police personnel while military forces from the Philippine Army 803rd Brigade were alerted to provide combat support," said Carlos.
Carlos also condemned the attack for the latest acts of violence on government forces even as he assured medical treatment of the wounded and benefits to the orphaned families of the deceased.
“Pursuit operations will continue without let-up against these criminals while I ordered police forces in the area to establish more checkpoints and prevent the possible escape of the fleeing terrorists. We will make sure that justice will be served, and the deaths of our fellow law enforcers will not be in vain," Carlos said.