THREE policemen were killed while four others were wounded when the convoy of Food and Drug Administration Director General Nela Charade Puno was ambushed in Camarines Sur on Thursday, October 18.
In a report, the Camarines Sur police said the ambush, perpetrated by at least 20 members of the communist New People's Army, transpired around 9:10 a.m. along the national highway of Lupi, Camarines Sur.
Puno was unharmed.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said investigators have yet to find out if Puno was the target of the attack and if there was failure of intelligence on the part of the police.
Killed were Senior Police Officer 1 Percival Rafael, Police Officer (PO) 3 Carlito Navarroza and PO 1 Ralph Jason Vida.
Of the four wounded, three have been identified, namely, Jonathan Perillo, PO1 Ruby Buena and PO1 Rodolfo Gonzaga.
A report reaching the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame said forces from the 1st Camarines Sur Provincial Public Safety Company were able to immediately respond to the area and retaliate, preventing further damage and casualties.
Police are now coordinating with the Philippine Army units in the area for a joint hot pursuit operation against the attackers.
“Also, upon the receipt of the said report, city police station/municipal police station in adjacent municipalities conducted checkpoint in all strategic locations in their respective areas of responsibility,” said the police.
Police Regional Office 5 director Chief Superintendent Arnel Escobal said Puno was on her way to Daet, Camarines Norte to attend a “Consumer Awareness Advocacy and Collaboration Activity”.
Just before the ambush, Albayalde said an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the area.
“Baka masyadong complacent mga kapulisan doon, 'kala dahil baka walang insidenteng mga ganyan sa lugar nila, 'kala na hindi na pwedeng mangyare dun sa lugar na ‘yun mga ganyang pangyayari,” he said.
(The police in the area might have become complacent. They might have not considered the possibility that something like this would happen.)
Albayalde also said the ambush might have been a retaliatory attack by the NPA.
“Una nakikita natin dito possible na nagpapakita sila ng presence dahil unang-una nag-bog down ‘yung national peace talks but then again we have the localized peace talks naman kaya marami pa rin ‘yung nagsu-surrender sa iba’t-ibang probinsya so ito ang nakikita nating isang dahilan and of course ‘yung military offenses na ginagawa ng AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) together with the PNP,” he said.
“Pwedeng ring ‘yung pulis gusto nila (NPA) kuhanan ng firearms the only thing is nakapag-retaliate ‘yung mga wounded kaya hindi sila nakalapit,” he added.
(The NPA might be making its presence felt. It is also possible that the NPA targeted to take the firearms, but they were not able to approach the convoy because the wounded officers were able to retaliate.) (SunStar Philippines)