Police killed in Samar clash
FIGHTING between a group of patrolling policemen and a band of New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern Samar left one police lieutenant dead on Monday morning.
Lt. Kenneth Tad-awan was leading a police patrol in Barangay Look in Lapinig, Northern Samar when they encountered the rebels around 6:40 a.m. Monday.
The young officer was shot during the initial volley of fire and died.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) mourned the loss of the valiant police officer as PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos, joined by newly-installed Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) director, Brigadier Gen. Bernard M. Banac visited the slain cop’s wake.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Police Lieutenant Tad-awan, rest assured that we will immediately provide the needed financial support and other social benefits for his family,” Gen. Carlos said.
A PRO8 report said that Lt. Tad-awan was one of the leaders of two teams from the PRO8 Regional Mobile Force Battalion’s 801st Maneuver Company that conducted the patrol in Bgy. Look.
The policemen later clashed with the guerrillas. Officers later found a rebel encampment with some hidden improvised explosive devices being used by the NPA to attack security forces and even civilians in the region.
As of press time, joint police and Army troops are still conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing leftist gunmen. Brig. Gen. Banac also assured the local populace that all efforts are underway to ensure their safety and security from the hands of the NPA.
