CPP takes responsibility for deadly Cagayan ambush

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Monday took responsibility for Sunday’s ambush in Cagayan province that left five policemen, including a municipal police chief, dead. In a press statement, the CPP said the ambush was perpetrated by the New People’s Army’s (NPA) Danilo Ben Command. The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP. “Operating troops of the Philippine National Police were ambushed by the New People’s Army-Danilo Ben Command yesterday, January 23, at 2:00 pm in Barangay Illuro Sur, Rizal, Cagayan," the CPP said. The rebels also seized four M-16 rifles and a cal-.38 handgun following the ambush, the CPP said. The fatalities were identified as Inspector Antonio Rueco, Rizal police chief; his wife, SPO2 Mary Jane Rueco; his brother PO2 Herminio Rueco; PO2 Jose Baquiran; and PO1 Joven Jimenez. Wounded in the incident were PO1 Valiant Bustamante and SPO4 Edison Lagua. The victims were on their way to Tuguegarao City from Rizal town, which was 60 kilometers away, when the vehicle they were riding hit a landmine in Barangay Iluru Sur. The rebels also fired at the victims. The ambush occurred while the government and the National Democratic Front, the CPP’s political front, are preparing for the resumption of peace talks in February. Meanwhile, the government is set to give posthumous awards to the slain policemen on Tuesday. In a statement, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said he will personally extend his condolences to the bereaved families aside from awarding the posthumous awards and financial assistance to the immediate family members of the fatalities. The two wounded victims will also be given financial help, he said. — with Joel Nueva/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV