A POLICEMAN yesterday was killed while five other troopers were injured in an ambush by heavily-armed New People’s Army rebels in Las Navas , Northern Samar.
Pat. Harvie Lovino, a 30-year-old member of the Northern Samar 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Catarman municipality, was killed in the attack while his colleagues, Pat. Rico Borja, 31; and Pat. Leandro Luciano Bulosan, 25, as well as three members of the Philippine Army identified as Cpl. Arvin Papon and Pfc. Whilydel Jic Rodona and Pfc. Wilmer del Monte were wounded.
Police Regional Office 8 director Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the victims have just finished their activities in relation to a PRO8-led Revitalized Community Support Program in Bgy. Osang in Catubig municipality and were on their way to their headquarters to receive their COVID-19 booster shots when they were ambushed by the guerrillas in Bgy. San Miguel in Las Navas town at 1 a.m. yesterday.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos condemned the latest NPA attack.
An investigation showed the rebels first detonated an improvised explosive device, which struck the troops’ vehicle, before firing at the lawmen with their automatic rifles.
