3 cops killed in NPA ambush in CamSur

LUPI, Camarines Sur — Three policemen riding in the security back-up vehicle assigned to the convoy of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Nela Charade Puno were killed in an ambush in Barangay Napolidan, here, yesterday morning.

Chief Superintendent Arnel Escoba, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) director, said Puno was safe as no bullet hit the FDA Chief’s vehicle.

However, the police patrol vehicle at the tailend of the convoy enroute to Daet, the capital of this province, was riddled with bullets from about 20 heavily-armed suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, Escoba said.

Chief Inspector Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5), identified those killed in the 9:10 a.m. attack as Senior Police Officer 1 Percival S. Rafael, PO3 Carlito S. Navarroza, and PO1 Ralph Jason D. Vida.

Three more lawmen in the same patrol vehicle were wounded: PO1s Jonathan P. Perillo, Ruby S. Buena, and Rodolfo F. Gonzaga.

They were taken to the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital for treatment, while immediate coordination was made with the military for support.

“Coordination has been made with the Philippine Army units and were already in joint pursuit operation,” Calubaquib said.

The victims were providing security to the FDA official who was set to attend the Consumers Awareness Advocacy and Collaboration Activity in Daet.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde announced that at least 700 drones have been purchased to aid law enforcement in security operations and avoid ambuscades.

Albayalde said the drones that are set to arrive soon will be issued to all the police operating units, especially to elite units like the Special Action Force (SAF) and the Provincial Mobile Groups (PMGs).

“These will be a standard issue for them so that whenever they conduct operations like rallies and internal security operations, they could use the drones,” said Albayalde.

Apart from yesterday’s ambush in Camarines Sur, NPA rebels also ambushed a group of policemen in Aurora province last Tuesday that resulted in the death of Police Officer 2 Ronald Ruidera. (With reports from Ruel Saldico and Aaron B. Recuenco)