In Albay: Cop slain, 3 others hurt in ambush

LEGAZPI CITY --- A policeman was killed while a police officer and two patrolmen were hurt in a clash on Wednesday (June 24) morning with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a remote village in Jovellar town in Albay, police report said.

Police Capt. Millard Bongalon, Jovellar town police chief, quoting a spot report said the NPA staged the ambush at Barangay San Isidro at around 5:20 AM, while the police troopers while returning to their base camp when they were attacked by a 15-man group of NPA rebels.

Killed in the rebel attack was Patrolman Emerson Belmonte. Wounded were Police Corporal Marlon Bertran, Patrolmen Roy Resureccion and John Mark Paz.

The report said members of the 1st Albay Provincial Mobile Force Company were on internal security operations in said village when fired at by the NPA group that led to a running gun battle .

According to reports, a number of wounded on the side of the rebel group was reported.

Earlier in Bulusan, Sorsogon, an NPA rebel was killed in a shootout with law enforcers implementing a warrant of arrest in Barangay San Bernardo on Wednesday, a Philippine Army (PA) report said.

Army Capt. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) public affairs chief, has identified the slain rebel as Ian Estrellado alias Ela/Karding, a member of a Guerilla Front (GF) operating in Sorsogon province.

Belleza said an Army and police composite team was to serve the warrant to the suspect who is facing a murder complaint when the suspect together with other rebel companion fired upon the troops in said village. A brief firefight ensued that resulted in the death of the suspect and the recovery of a carbine rifle, magazine and a grenade.