Cop killed, another wounded in NPA ambush

A POLICEMAN was killed while another was wounded when they were ambushed by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) while responding to a reported arson incident in Maria Aurora town in Aurora province on Tuesday, October 16.

Police Officer 2 Martial Ronald Buendicho Ruidera was killed while Senior Police Officer 2 Angelo Nobleza Gawat, chief investigator of the Maria Aurora Police, was wounded.

Police Regional Office 3 director Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus said an undetermined number of NPA rebels fired upon them while they on their way to Sitio Dimani, Barangay Villa on Tuesday around 2:30 p.m.

He said at around 5:30 am, the unit received a report that armed men burned a heavy equipment owned by a private contractor doing roadworks in the said area.

“Our hearts are broken from the loss of PO2 Martial Ronald Buendicho Ruidera who was not only a dedicated police officer but also a great person and a father as well as the wounding of SPO2 Angelo Nobleza Gawat,” said Corpus.

“SPO2 Gawat and the late PO2 Ruidera have been the true representation of the PNP’s mandate which is to serve and protect our people, to put ourselves in harm's way for others,” he added.

Corpus assured that Ruidera's family and Gawat will receive financial assistance. (Third Anne PeraltaMalonzo/SunStar Philippines)