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Antique guv: NPA-PNP encounter isolated incident

By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay

November 23, 2017, 3:07 pm

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique -- Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao has assured that the clash between the police and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Tumagad of Barangay Pis-anan in Sibalom town on Wednesday was an isolated incident.

The police force and the provincial government are “on top of the situation”, Cadiao stressed in her press statement released Thursday.

“We are giving all-out support to the police for the maintenance of peace and order,” she said.

The Wednesday encounter took place after policemen received a call that a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment in upper Barangay Bulalacao in Sibalom was strafed by NPA rebels earlier that day.

The Sibalom Municipal Police Station sent out a team to carry out preventive patrolling. But on their way to the CAFGU detachment, the team was hit by a landmine explosion in Barangay Pis-anan which damaged their patrol car and van.

A 15-minute firefight between the NPAs and the policemen ensued where three policemen were injured.
Cadiao said the provincial government is extending assistance to PO3 Gabby Orantes, who underwent surgery at the Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital in San Jose de Buenavista on Wednesday, due to a gunshot wound in the stomach.

Police Officers 3 Michael Alejo and Salvador Cordero suffered minor injuries and were treated at the Ramon Maza Sr. District Hospital in Sibalom.

It was uncertain if the NPA rebels suffered any casualty.

News of the encounter prompted Sibalom Mayor Joel Occena to immediately suspend classes on Wednesday. (PNA)

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