Philippines
Philippines

6 cops killed in clash with communist rebels in Cagayan

Raymon Dullana

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6 cops killed in clash with communist rebels in Cagayan
(UPDATED) The rebels allegedly burned heavy equipment being used for projects of the National Irrigation Administration

CAGAYAN, Philippines (UPDATED) – Six policemen were killed and 8 others wounded during a clash with communist rebels in Baggao town in this province on Tuesday, February 16.

Police Inspector Aileen Nicolas, spokesperson of Philippine National Police in Cagayan, told Rappler that reports from local police said the casualties are members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB). 

Nicolas said the clash broke out around 10:30 am in Sta Margarita village in Baggao town. 

The slain were identified as the following: PO1 Ryan Gaspar Annang (San Roque,Peñablanca,Cagayan); PO1 Derrel Pillos Sunico (Sto Niño,Cagayan); PO1 Arjay Allauigan Bautista (Sto Tomas, Isabela); PO1 Rogelio Carag Alfonso (Enrile, Cagayan); PO1 Julius Nitura Soriano (Iguig,Cagayan); PO1 Jaypy Pedroso Aspiros (Rizal, Cagayan). 

PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez and Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mel Sarmiento are set to fly to Tuguegarao City early Wednesday, February 17, to check the conditions and award medals of bravery to the wounded troops. 

Authorities have not received reports of casualties on the rebels’ side as of posting.

Police Chief Inspector Chevalier Iringan said in an earlier interview that the policemen and soldiers were battling New People’s Army members who allegedly burned heavy equipment for National Irrigation Administration (NIA) projects in the towns of Baggao and Gattaran.

Efren Sorita, a resident of Baggao, said the firefight could be heard even from a distance.

Equipment burned include a backhoe, bulldozer, and trucks owned by Brostan Company, a contractor of the NIA. 

Police Chief Superintendent Ranier Idio, PNP Regional Director of Police Regional Office 2 in the Cagayan Valley Region, said pursuit operations are being conducted by reinforcing troops from the Cagayan Provincial Public Safety Company and RPSB backed by two UH1H helicopter gunships of the PAF.

The Commander of the 502nd Brigade of the Philippine Army has also deployed field troops from the 17th IBPA to reinforce the police troops. 
 
In 2013, communist rebels killed 8 members of the elite PNP Special Action Force during an ambush in the province. – Rappler.com

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