TACLOBAN CITY-A police officer and two civilians were injured in an ambush incident reportedly staged by members of the New People’s Army (NPAs) that took place in Jiabong town, Samar province at around 8 am Wednesday (Oct. 7).
The injured police officer was identified as Patrolman Ace Denver Aharuddin,24, who was wounded on his buttock and right shoulder.
He is assigned at the Pinabacdao police station, also in Samar.
The police officers were on their way to Catbalogan City to serve as escort for an inmate, Dino de la Peña, for his court hearing on arson charge.
The two civilians who were sustained minor injuries during the ambush incident Elma Geli,58; and Reynaldo Calipis, 52, driver of a passenger van where they were on board.
All were residents of Villareal town, also in Samar.
The other police officers who were on board on their vehicle, Corporal Paul Hadlong,34; SSG Crisistomo Mabansag,51; and Corporal Reymart Romero,30, were unhurt, report from the PNP regional headquarters based in Palo town, Leyte said.
Based on the report, the two vehicles were traversing along Maharlika Highway at Barangay Tagbayaon, Jiabong at around 8 am en route to Catbalogan City, also in Samar, when an improvised explosive device planted by the rebels at the roadside exploded followed by several gun shots.
All the injured were immediately brought at the Samar Provincial Hospital based in Catbalogan City as members of the 2nd Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company led by Lt.Col. Joy Leanza immediately conducted a hot pursuit operations against the rebels.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
