MANILA -- Three government troops were killed and four others were injured as communist rebels attacked the Paluan Police Station in Occidental Mindoro Friday, a military official said.
Major Arnold Gasalatan, public affairs officer of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, said the 50-man rebel group also seized Paluan Mayor Williard Sanchez and his administrative officer whose name was not immediately known.
Citing initial information, Gasalatan said the New People's Army (NPA) rebels launched the attack around 3 p.m. Policemen manning the station promptly fought it out with the rebels as troops from the Army's 76th Infantry Battalion responded.
After a one-hour firefight, Gasalatan said the insurgents withdrew with undetermined number of casualties. However, the fighting claimed the lives of the two policemen and a soldier and wounded four other policemen.
"After the successful defense of the police station, the rebels took the mayor and his administrative officer. The municipal hall is just near the police station. Moments later, the mayor and his staff were released along the way. They were used as human shield," said Gasalatan.
"The attack was foiled; policemen and soldiers defended the police station. Soldiers responded due to timely coordination, that’s why the police station was not overwhelmed by the rebels," he added.
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Maquiling, civil military operations officer of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, said the rebels were clad in military uniform.
He said troops were deployed to conduct pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels. (VR/Sunnex)