Malacañang, PNP denounce NPA over Cagayan ambush

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Malacañang and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday condemned the ambush on police officers by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Baggao, Cagayan.

“We certainly condemn those people who perpetrated the attacks on our police,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

“The leadership of the PNP has been informed of this and we will go after those who have perpetrated this dastardly act on our policemen,” he said.

Chief Supt. Franklin Moises Mabanag, deputy director for administration of the Cagayan Valley regional police, said that the PNP Regional Public Safety Battalion 2 (RPSB2) elements were dispatched to Baggao early Tuesday to investigate an arson incident allegedly carried out by the rebel group on Bruscan, a construction company handling the irrigation project in the area.

Insp. Aileen Nicolas, PNP-Cagayan spokesperson, identified the fatalities as PO1 Ryan Gaspar Annang (San Roque, Peñablanca,Cagayan), PO1 Derrel Pillos Sunico (Centro Sur, Sto Niño,Cagayan), PO1 Arjay Allauigan Bautista (Sto. Tomas, Isabela), PO1 Rogelio Carag Alfonso (En- rile, Cagayan), PO1 Julius Nitura Soriano (Iguig,Cagayan) and PO1 Jaypy Pedroso Aspiros (Rizal, Cagayan). ‘Total disregard for

people’s welfare’ “The acts of the NPA clearly show their utter disregard of human lives and concern of the welfare of the local populace despite of the effort of the government to uplift the well-being of the people of Cagayan thru sustained development,” said PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor.

According to Mayor, “the NPAs action manifests their purpose to harass those that are working for the improvement of the standard of living of the people con- trary to the ideology being propagated by their group.”

Due honor, recognition The PNP leadership assured the surviving families and kin of the “fallen hero cops” of the financial support and social benefits due to police personnel who offered the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, the PNP high command extends condolences to the orphaned families of the deceased. Initially, the bereaved families shall be provided with PNP financial support and benefits from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc.,” said Mayor. (With a report from Liezle Basa – Iñigo)