Armed NPA killed in Albay clash
FIGHTING between patrolling policemen and a group of heavily-armed New People’s Army guerrillas in Tiwi, Albay early morning Friday left one rebel dead, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) director, Brigadier General Jonnel C. Estomo said.
The official said that the slain suspect identified as Pedro Cuerdo yielded a chamber-loaded caliber .45 pistol with a magazine containing five live ammunition, and assorted subversive documents and war materials.
According to Estomo, members of the PRO5 Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) led by Lieutenant Danilo Capili were conducting patrol in Bgy. Joroan in Tiwi municipality when they encountered about 10 armed guerrillas 12:30 a.m. Friday.
The 15-minute exchange of gunfire led in the killing of Cuedro. No casualty was reported on the site of the policemen.
Estomo said that as of press time, troops from the PRO5 RMFB headed by Lt. Colonel Clarence Gomeyac are still conducting a hot pursuit operation against the fleeing leftist gunmen.
He said that the local police have set up road blockades to intercept the fleeing suspects.
Estomo said that the suspects were believed to be members of the NP Kilusang Larangang Partido 3 operating in Albay and other parts of Bicol region.
“We have information that the group was on a mission to attack PNP and Army detachment and other facilities in the province when they were encountered by my men,” the Bicol police director said.
