NPA rebs ambush 99 cops;1 killed, 9 hurt in Mt Prov

TADIAN, Mountain Province – Army and police forces are now conducting pursuit operationsagainst New People’s Army guerillas who ambushed 99 cops here at Barangay Kabunagan around 5:45 Friday which resulted to killing of a police officer and wounding of nine others.

Regional police director Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong said victims, in police athletic uniforms, were ambushed while jogging along with other police scout trainees and four assistant instructors.

A police report identified those killed as PO1 Denver Balabag while wounded were PI Melinium Bantas and Police Officers 1 Alexander Dulnuan, JuneteNgalawen, Jasmine  Salve , Jefferson Sari, Edison Waguis, Mitchell Malubon, PawasDaketan  and Robin Benito

Wounded personnel, including Balabag’s body were brought to Luis Hora Hospital inAbatan, Bauko town, a few kilometers away.

Waguis was transferred to Baguio General Hospital for medical treatment.

The victims were reportedly part of 120 police non- commissioned officers undergoing Philippine National Police Scout training of which 70 were females.

Prior to the ambush, the 99 PNP personnel, four of whom were trainers were having their morning jog when  ambushed.

The PNP personnel were of the Regional Public Safety Battalion except one from Benguet Police Provincial Office.

Senior William Viteno, provincial police director said pursuit operations will continue while Magalong denounced “inhuman and desperate action of the NPA considering that even our unarmed personnel are being targeted.”

Magalong said that because of this, all units regionwide were advised to take necessary security precaution especially when moving in groups.