A POLICEMAN was killed and three others were wounded in an ambush staged by suspected members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Albay, police said Thursday, June 25, 2020.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa identified the slain policemen as Patrolman Emerson Belmonte while those wounded were Corporal Marlon Beltran, and Patrolmen Roy Resurrection and John Mark Paz.
On Wednesday, June 24, suspected NPA rebels ambushed personnel of the 1st Albay Provincial Mobile Force Company who were then conducting a major internal security operation in Barangay San Isidro, Jovellar.
Police retaliated and a firefight ensued for 15 minutes.
A hot pursuit operation is underway.
Gamboa expressed sympathy to the family of Belmonte and assured that his surviving kin will receive all PNP benefits.
Belmonte’s family is entitled to receive P250,000.00 from the President’s Social Fund; between P141,000 and P181,000 as special financial assistance (SFA) from the PNP; burial benefits worth P50,000; and P200,000 gratuity from the National Police Commission.
Gamboa also instructed Bicol Regional Police Director Anthony Alcañeses to extend any financial and medical assistance to the three wounded personnel. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)