THE death toll in the December 13 ambush in Borongan City, Eastern Samar has climbed to four after another civilian victim passed away on Wednesday, December 18.

Authorities identified the fourth fatality as Mary Grace Rapada, 44, married, jobless and resident of Barangay San Isidro, San Julian, Eastern Samar.

Rapada, who sustained a head injury, died while being treated at Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City, according to Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas.

Her remains now rest at Añosa Funeral Home, Barangay Taboc, Borongan.

The other two civilians who died during the attack in Barangay Libuton in Borongan were Agripena Traboco, 69, a resident of Barangay San Isidro, San Julian, Eastern Samar; and Anthony Balayanto, 50, a resident of Taft, Eastern Samar.

The ambush, staged by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels, killed Patrolman Mark Jerome Rama, a member of 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company, and injured four other policemen and 11 civilians.

Police and local officials in Eastern Samar condemned the "treacherous attack."

PRO-Eastern Visayas has readied the charges against the perpetrators, said Rentuaya.