ALBAY AMBUSH. Government forces in Jovellar town, Albay province, pursue New People's Army rebels who waylaid policemen returning from a security operation on Wednesday (June 24, 2020). A police officer was killed while three other cops were wounded in the incident. (Photo courtesy of Albay Provincial Police Office)
LEGAZPI CITY – A police officer was killed while three others were wounded in an encounter between lawmen and a group of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a remote village in Jovellar town, Albay province on Wednesday.
In an interview, Capt. Millard Bongalon, Jovellar town police chief, quoting a spot report, said the NPA staged an ambush in Barangay San Isidro around 5:20 a.m. while police operatives were returning to their base camp after conducting an internal security operation.
The attack led to an exchange of gunfire between the lawmen from the 1st Albay Provincial Mobile Force Company and some 15 NPA members.
Killed was Patrolman Emerson Belmonte, while those wounded were Corporal Marlon Bertran and Patrolmen Roy Resurecion and John Mark Paz.
The report also said an undetermined number of rebels may have been wounded in the clash.
“Wala naman pong naapektuhan na civilian dahil sa medyo mabundok na po area nangyari,” (No civilian was affected during the firefight since it happened in a mountainous area of the village)," Bongalon said. (PNA)
