MAYOR Jose Ardales of Victoria, Northern Samar suspended classes, as well as government work at the municipal hall following the attack staged by around 50 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels early dawn Thursday, March 28.
Ardales said he issued the suspension order as the “clearing operation” continued Thursday afternoon.
“Three NPA members were killed and one 18-year-old rebel surrendered. We still have to identify the dead bodies,” Ardales said in a Bombo Radyo report.
Ardales also recalled some of his employees who were on official travel in Tacloban City, some 230 kilometers away from the town, so they can attend to the needs of the affected residents.
Police Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos, the Police Regional Office (PRO) director, also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) mobile forces to intensify their pursuit operation against the suspected NPA rebels, saying they have to be “accountable before the law for their criminal act.”
“I am directing all PNP personnel to always be extra vigilant and alert in their tour of duty within their jurisdiction to preempt similar attacks,” Carlos said.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, PRO spokesperson, said the rebels failed to overrun the municipal police station after its 15 personnel were able to hold their ground during the attack.
Led by Police Lieutenant Eladio Aro, the Victoria police force occupied the rooftop of the building and put up a firefight with the rebels, who were dressed in military uniform onboard two forward trucks.
The exchange of gunfire started at 3:44 a.m. and lasted at 6:40 a.m.
Policemen injured during the encounter were Police Senior Master Sergeants Arturo Gordo Jr. and Arnold Cabacang who were immediately brought to the nearest hospital for medical attention.
The PNP initially seized one M60 light machinegun, two M16 rifles, and one M14 rifle.
Several of the suspected NPA rebels who staged the attack were women, police said.
The captured rebel, who is from Calbayog City, Samar, is now under the custody of Victoria police for appropriate charges.
READ: 4 civilians hurt in another Northern Samar attack
A fifth-class municipality, Victoria has 16 barangays with a population of over 14,817.
In August 2018, around 100 suspected NPA rebels also failed to capture the municipal police station in Lapinig, Northern Samar after the police fought and repelled the guerillas. (SunStar Philippines)