Rebels bomb AFP, Mati City PNP repels NPA attack

A white truck loaded with armed men who were believed to be members of the New People’s Army arrived in the city’s PNP station in Madang and attacked the policemen on duty 6:30pm Sunday.

The lawless armed group entered the station and one of them held the desk officer PO1 Delapena as shield while proceeding to the second floor. Fortunately, all personnel were alerted when PO1 Edmhyr Dalire fired as he saw the situation inside.



PO1 Delapena was able to escape and positioned himself at the roof while the rebels were exchanging heavy firefight with the group of PO2 Edwin Samulde in the first floor.

Scared prisoners dropped on the floor as bullets stormed all over the station. In 15 minutes exchange of heavy firefight, PNP was able to repel the NPA leaving 1 dead from the rebel groups.

The enemies escaped on board three D4D vans towards Brgy. Libudon direction and left their service truck full of backpacks and boxes that are believed to be (IED) bombs.

PO2 Daniel Babao from Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office saw the fleeing enemies and he shot them. Unfortunately, the enemies retaliated and hit his left hand.

Mati City Police Director Benito Recopuerto said that there were 60 or more rebels who attacked and were repelled. There were no reported casualties from the PNP.

NPA DETONATES BOMB

Two were killed in action and five wounded armies from the 10th Infantry Division and 104th Division Recon. Company in Sitio Magay, Mati City when hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on their way to PNP station as reinforcement.

A certain Corporal Andres Luconan of the Phil.Army was killed in Sudlon by the blocking force installed by the NPA. According to local report the victim was stopped by the rebels while on board his motorcycle. The latter introduced themselves as members of the AFP. However Luconan attempted to escape when he noticed they were not his comrades but the rebels were able to gun him down.

Meanwhile, local broadcasters reported that there are already four confirmed dead from the lawless armed group.( Casualties to be verified)

MAYOR ASSURES MATINIANS

Mati City Mayor Carlo Rabat condemned the incident and according to him, hot pursuit operations are now being conducted by the PNP in coordination with the AFP against the perpetrators. The mayor also assured the matinians , who express their trauma and anxiety in social media, that the situation is under control and Matinians have to remain calm and confident with the city‘s law enforcers.

This post will update changes ( no.of casualties etc) as report develops.

Source: PRO11, CMO