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NPA rebel hurt in NoCot police car ambush

By Noel Punzalan

September 17, 2019, 11:48 am

<p>Google map of Antipas, North Cotabato.</p>

Google map of Antipas, North Cotabato.

COTABATO CITY – Two policemen were unscathed and managed to injure one of two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) hit squad members in a shootout during an ambush on their police vehicle in Antipas, North Cotabato, Monday morning.

In a report, Col. Maximo Layugan, North Cotabato police director, identified the two "alert cops" as Master Sergeant Joel Peñalosa and Staff Sergeant Jefferson Acuna, both of the Antipas police force.

“Both cops were doing a 10 a.m. patrolling around the vicinity of Barangay Poblacion when fired upon by motorcycle riding-in-tandem gunmen,” Layugan said quoting a report from the Antipas police office.

He said the attackers sped off and the cops gave chase, resulting in a shootout that injured one of two suspects who was determined to be a minor.

Captain Rolando Violon, Antipas police chief, said Tuesday the suspect remains in serious condition at a local hospital, where he was brought following the shootout.

“The other one managed to escape but our policemen are hot on his trail,” Violon said.

Violon called on Arakan community leaders and residents alike to be vigilant and wary of suspicious-looking characters moving around their areas, urging them to report the matter immediately to police authorities for proper action.

“I am calling on everybody, especially the youth, as not to be swayed by joining the NPA’s futile cause as this would only ruin your future,” he said.

The NPA, together with the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

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