AMBUSHED. The police vehicle and passenger van that were hit by two landmines planted by suspected communists rebels in Jiabong, Samar. The explosion on Wednesday (Oct. 7, 2020) wounded a police officer and four civilians, including two teachers. (Photo courtesy of Romyette Verdeflor)
TACLOBAN CITY (UPDATED) – A policeman and four civilians, including two teachers were injured when suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed and detonated two landmines along a major highway in Jiabong, Samar Wednesday morning.
Injured was Patrolman Ace Denver Aharuddin of Pinabacdao Municipal Police Station, who suffered three gunshot wounds, initial reports reaching the Philippine National Police regional office here said.
The landmines that targeted a patrol car of the Pinabacdao police station also hurt the four passengers of a van cruising along Maharlika Highway in the vicinity of Barangay Tagbayaon, Jiabong, Samar at around 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Other victims on board the passenger van were identified as driver Reynaldo Calipis, 51; and his passengers – Elma Geli, 58; and teachers Erixon Gacumo, 33; and Realy del Rio, 22, all residents of Villareal, Samar.
The passenger van was tailing the police car bound for Catbalogan City when two roadside bombs exploded.
Reports added that three other police officers on board the patrol car were unhurt. They were identified as Corporal Paul Hadlong, 34, driver of the patrol car, of Basey, Samar; Staff Sergeant Crisostomo Mabansag, 51, of Paranas, Samar; and Corporal Reymart Romero, 30, of Tacloban City.
Operatives of the 2nd Police Mobile Force Company led by Police Lt. Col Joy G. Leanza launched a pursuit operation against the fleeing perpetrators while police stations were directed to be vigilant and establish checkpoints within their respective areas.
Last May, four improvised explosive devices were recovered in a foiled ambush attempt by NPA rebels along the national highway also in Jiabong town.
Last year, two employees of a car manufacturer also survived a landmine attack when their vehicle was mistaken for a police patrol car as they were passing the same town.
In December 2015, government troops and two female staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on board two trucks coming from relief operations in Northern Samar during the onslaught of Typhoon "Nona" (Melor) were ambushed by armed rebels also in Jiabong town. (PNA)
