NPAs kill cop, wound 2 in Abra ambush

A policeman was killed while two others were wounded when a group of heavily armed communist guerrillas staged an ambush in a forest between Lacub and Tineg towns, in Abra province Thursday afternoon. Killed in the ambush was PO 1 Teddy Uyami Cumahling. Those wounded were identified as PO1S Jan Michael Tacio Castillo and Gilbert Dolores Dauz. The ambush came the same day that the New People's Army celebrated its 38th anniversary. Sr. Supt. Joseph Adnol, Cordillera police spokesman said that guerillas from the Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command of the CPP-NPA surprised two teams from the First Regional Mobile Group (RMG) of the Cordillera police under Police Inspector Rey Tad-o while they were reportedly conducting patrols at around 1:30 p.m. The policemen were on foot patrol, conducting "prophylactic operations" against insurgents when they were ambushed, said Adnol. The patrols were part of Cordillera police command's campaign to prevent NPAs from collecting "permit-to-campaign" fees from political bets. Lacub town mayor Cesar Baroña said the clash occurred in a forested area within the jurisdiction of barangay Talampak and adjacent to Tineg town. Lacub and Tineg towns are known to authorities as NPA lairs.- GMANews.TV