Armed men raid police post in far Isabela town

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– Some 40 armed men believed to be New People’s Army rebels swooped down on a police station in a coastal Isabela town Nov. 29.

According to police, the rebels, including two Amazons, allegedly operating in the vicinity of the Isabela-Quirino boundary, first flagged down an Isuzu truck about 9:30 p.m. Sunday before pursuing with the raid of the police station in coastal Divilacan town.

“Army and police troops were already dispatched in the area on board two military Huey helicopters to investigate the incident and engaged the armed communist terrorists,” said Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police director.

Quoting reports from the field, Damian said the truck driven by one Noel Cadang was on its way to transfer several solar panels and other equipment from Divilacan town to Maconacon where the Department of Energy had an alternative energy project when the rebels, flagged down the truck and ordered all the 11 passengers to get down.

The passengers were reportedly left unharmed at a forested area where they were herded by the armed group, who later proceeded to the town proper.

The rebels then swooped down on the Divilacan police station, seizing policemen’s firearms which include two M-16 rifles, a .45 caliber pistol, a fragmentation grenade, a rifle grenade, and three bandoliers with 22 short and 22 extended magazines, loaded with ammunitions.

Seven complete sets of police uniforms, including paraphernalia as well as office equipment and a two-way base radio were also allegedly seized by the rebels.

“The on-duty policemen were caught by surprise during the rebels’ raid,” said Damian.

It was learned that only two policemen were inside the station during the raid, while the others were nearby attending Mass. -- CL