NPA guerrillas take cop hostage after raiding police station in Zambo Sur

Published April 10, 2012 9:51am

(Updated 12:26 p.m.) Suspected communist rebels are holding hostage at least one policeman after attacking a police station in Tigbao town in Zamboanga del Sur Monday night.

The rebels took the policeman, initially identified as PO2 Juhali Faisal, and used him as a human shield in their escape, radio dzBB reported early Tuesday.

Also taken in the attack were at least one M16 rifle and two 9-mm pistols, the same radio report said. Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, said the 7 p.m. raid was conducted by 40 New People's Army rebels, who later withdrew towards Lakewood town, also in Zamboanga del Sur. Cabangbang said the Tigbao station with 23 personnel is the second smallest PNP station in the province. Lakewood station is the smallest with only 20 personnel.

At the National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said he has ordered the relief of the municipal police chief as well as the provincial director. "I will be flying to the area tomorrow to personally assess situation and give guidance. I feel there is a need to reevaluate our strategy," Bartolome told reporters.

Major General Noel Coballes, Western Mindanao Command chief, described the incident as "a case of simple robbery with kidnapping."

"There is nothing daring with what they have accomplished . We shall pursue them like common criminals and support the PNP operations to ensure the safe release of PO2 Faisal," Coballes said. — RSJ/HS, GMA News

Tags: cppnpa, insurgency, zamboangadelsur