Cop slain in NPA attack

By Mar S. Arguelles

A police officer was killed on Monday (Feb. 28) night after a group of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked a camp of the 504th Police Maneuver Company in Pilar town in Sorsogon province, a police report said.

Slain during the rebel attack was Police Corporal Ryan Atos, a member of 504th Police Maneuver Company in Barangay Esperanza, according to Police Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

The report said an undetermined number of NPA rebels positioned outside the campsite fired at the camp, which triggered a 15-minute firefight that led to the death of Atos.

No other casualties were reported from the government troops, Calubaquib said.

Police BGen. Jonnel Estomo, Bicol police regional director, condemned the treacherous attack carried out by the communist rebels against government troops.