4 cops killed in encounter with NPA

FOUR policemen were killed in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Yamot, Brgy. Mabato, Ayungon, Negros Oriental yesterday.

The identities of the victims are still withheld but they were assigned at Nabingca Post based on police report.

The initial report from Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo) revealed that the victims were riding two motorcycles and were allegedly approaching near the house of a certain “Oto Anadon” when they encountered several armed men around 2:30 p.m.

The police officers sustained multiple injuries which caused their immediate death.

The alleged members of the communist group fled.

The local police have yet to provide further details on the incident as the investigation is still ongoing.

Last week a suspected member of NPA was killed

in an encounter between the rebels and the army in Ayungon.

The victim was identified as 22-year-old Joseph Pacheco, a resident of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Pacheco's remains were positively identified by his own mother Julita, based on a "burn scar" in his body.

Pacheco was killed last Saturday after his group got into a gun battle with elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) in the mountainous area of Ayungon town in Negros Occidental.

Authorities believe that the killing of four policemen is a retaliation of the rebels for the death of their comrade.

The area is considered rebel infested by authorities./tde