4 civilians hurt in another Northern Samar attack

CATARMAN. Samuel Ilustre (left), 52, a utility worker of the local government of San Jose, Northern Samar, narrates to military officials what happened during the attack Thursday in Victoria, Northern Samar. (Screenshot from 803rd Brigade - Peacemaker 8ID, PA Facebook page)
CATARMAN. Samuel Ilustre (left), 52, a utility worker of the local government of San Jose, Northern Samar, narrates to military officials what happened during the attack Thursday in Victoria, Northern Samar. (Screenshot from 803rd Brigade - Peacemaker 8ID, PA Facebook page)

POLICE said at least four civilians were injured when a "blocking force" of communist rebels who attacked a police station in Victoria, Northern Samar Thursday dawn, March 28, shot a group of people onboard a car.

Police Staff Sergeant Rolando Dente of Catarman Police Station said the civilians were onboard a black Toyota Vios coming from San Jose town and were headed toward San Isidro in Northern Samar when they were flagged down by the rebels upon reaching Barangay Libertad in Victoria.

An undetermined number of rebels, with long firearms, then fired at the vehicle, wounding the passengers identified as Samuel Ilustre, 52, utility worker of the local government of San Jose; Wilta Tejero, 74; Wilta Tejero Jr., 44; and Shai Sanchez, 17.

Another passenger, identified as Mariquel Sanchez, 53, was unharmed.

All are residents of Barangay North, San Jose, the police said.



Police Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas spokesperson based in Palo, Leyte, said the civilians are now confined at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman where they received treatment for gunshot wounds.

Police Staff Sergeant Rolando Dente of Catarman Police Station said they found the victims after conducting an inspection at the hospital around 9 a.m. Thursday.

Ilustre, in an interview, said he managed to maneuver the vehicle to escape from the gunmen, but they were hit and sustained gunshot wounds in the different parts of their bodies.

A concerned citizen who was onboard a Toyota Hi-Ace brought them to Allen District Hospital for immediate medical attention, but they were referred to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for further medication.

Police said the shooting incident occurred around 4 a.m., about the time when about 50 suspected rebels exchanged gunfire with the 15 personnel of Victoria Municipal Police Station from 3:44 a.m. to 6:40 a.m.

Police, however, repelled the NPA attack, killing three and capturing an 18-year-old NPA member.

Injured during the attack at the police station were Police Senior Master Sergeants Arturo Gordo Jr. and Arnold Cabacang.

Philippine National Police Chief General Oscar Albayalde lauded the Victoria police force “showing courage” during the encounter.

“They were harassed by more or less 50 NPA rebels but they were able to repulse the attack,” he said.

The NPA also lauded its members who attacked the police station and greeted them on the eve of its 50th anniversary on March 29.

“We salute the Red fighters for courageously attacking the police headquarters of Victoria, Northern Samar today, March 28. The NPA vows to intensify tactical offensives against the fascist military and police of the dictatorial US-Duterte regime,” Roy Santos, the National Democratic Front media officer in Eastern Visayas, said in a statement. (SunStar Philippines)

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