PNP to file raps vs NPA over land mine use in Rizal ambush

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police will lodge a complaint against the New People's Army (NPA) before the Commission on Human Rights for an ambush in Rodriguez, Rizal last weekend. Radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr reported that Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno disclosed this plan, where the PNP will question the NPA's use of land mines in the ambush. A policeman was killed, two were injured and three were missing in the incident. "We believe there is basis to file complaints with the CHR because in this particular incident, a road land mine was used to disable the police vehicle," Puno said in a chance interview at Camp Crame. "The treachery has always been there. But t he disturbing thing about it is the use of land mines. Because a road land mine is kind of like 'to whom it may concern' and if you use things like that, the possibility of harming innocent individuals is very high," he added. Puno also lashed out at the strategy employed by the NPA prior to the attack, saying it will have a negative implication on future response of the police on distress calls. Meanwhile, Manila police acting on a tip secured a hospital where an NPA fighter is confined following the ambush in Rizal province. Radio dzBB's Louie Garcia reported that the Manila Police District Station 8 under Superintendent Jaime Tiu deployed at least 30 personnel to guard the rebel and her two companions. Tiu identified the hospitalized rebel as Myra Bautista, 22, a resident of Naic town in Cavite. Her companions were identified as Grace Labayo, 30, and Vivencio Sto. Tomas, 55. He said they received a tip from the Calabarzon police's intelligence and investigation division that Bautista was confined at the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Sta. Mesa. Bautista was linked to an NPA ambush on police in Rodriguez town in Rizal province last weekend. One policeman was killed, two wounded and three believed abducted in the incident. Citing reports reaching him, Tiu said Bautista was confined at the hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound in the stomach. He said that while Bautista's family claimed she was shot in Naic last weekend, a check with the Naic police showed no such shooting occurred there at the time. - GMANews.TV