Infant killed, at least 5 wounded in NPA ambush

DAVAO CITY – A four-month-old baby was killed, while five police personnel were wounded, after New People’s Army (NPA) rebeles ambushed a police vehicle on Thursday afternoon in Bukidnon province.

In a phone interview, Sr. Insp. Jessel Longakit, spokesperson of Bukidnon Provincial Police Office said the infant was among eight passengers riding a private vehicle that was trailing behind a police vehicle that was ambushed at around 5:30 p.m. along Kilometer 28 in Barangay Tikalaan, Talakag town.

Longakit said the police officers were returning to their headquarters after attending a command conference in Amai Pakpak.

Longakit said there were five police personnel of the Amai Manabilang Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Lanao del Sur province onboard their Mahindra service vehicle when they were attacked.

The police personnel included Annai Manabilang Police Station head Insp. Joven Acuesta, PO1 Nathaniel Ibal and a non-uniformed personnel who are now in stable condition.

Longakit said they cannot yet divulge the status of the two other officers as investigations are still ongoing.

The New People's Army (NPA) has claimed responsibility for the ambush Friday afternoon.

In a statement, Ka Malem Mabini, spokesperson of NPA North Central Mindanao Region said a field unit of the NPA's Mt. Kitanglad Sub-regional Command carried out the ambush.

Mabini said they were still awaiting "the comprehensive report from the field unit responsible for launching the said action." (Zea C. Capistrano)