AT LEAST two police officers were wounded when around 100 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked the municipal police station of Lapinig in Northern Samar early morning Friday, August 10.
Initial reports said the firefight started around 1:44 a.m. and lasted for 15 minutes.
Wounded were Police Officer 2 Jerry Quilecol and Police Officer 1 Edizon Aguere.
The station's officer-in-charge Police Inspector Noli Montebon and Police Officer 2 Mark Mejedo, who were initially reported as missing in action, have been found already, a source said. They hid after they ran out of bullets.
Reports said the suspected rebels used high-powered firearms such as Uzi, M14, M16, M203 and K3 submachine gun.
A hot pursuit operation and investigation are ongoing.
Montebon said inventory at the police station is ongoing to determine whether there are missing equipment.
On January 12, 2012, the Lapinig Police Station was also attacked by suspected communist rebels who took several firearms.
After the incident, the NPA guerillas opened fire at the house of then Lapinig mayor Romualdo Menzon, killing two security aides and wounding two other residents. (With Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)