A POLICE officer was killed while another was wounded after four suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) launched an ambush in Sumpong, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, late Monday, February 25.
The fatality was identified as Police Officer 3 (PO3) Jerry Tropel.
Another policeman, Police Officer 1 (PO1) Rene Caña, cheated death after he engaged in a shootout with the gunmen armed with M16 rifles and caliber 45 pistols.
Caña was rushed to the hospital in Malaybalay City.
Superintendent Surki Serenas, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), said the two policemen were on night patrol when they were attacked at the police outpost.
"Investigators have narrowed down to a number of persons of interest based on the statement of the wounded victim. Although the NPA already owned up, there will still be investigation to identify the suspects and file charges against them in court," Serenas said.
"The police outpost is not involved in the armed conflict between the NPA and government forces because it is there primarily for crime prevention and emergency assistance," he added.
The PRO-Northern Mindanao demanded that the NPA leadership explain "what is the direct participation of the murdered policeman in the armed conflict that justify armed engagement."
Serenas said the police outpost is a public assistance outpost purposely to assist the general public.
He added the incident is a clear disrespect to the International Humanitarian Law because the slain and wounded police officers were doing community engagement and not in any way engaged in armed conflict.
"The intent of the attack is clear. It was meant to create panic and intimidate the public. Clearly the people of Malaybalay City do not want this terroristic act in their city," Serenas said.
Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, PRO-Northern Mindanao director, condemned the attack.
"It was treacherous and cold-blooded murder. Our investigation is gaining headway and we are exerting all our efforts to bring the culprits into the bar of the law. Justice will be served to the bereaved family," Pacleb said.