Outnumbered cops repulse NPA attack in North Cotabato, kills 3 rebels

Photo: chevanon / Shutterstock

PRESIDENT ROJAS, North Cotabato –- Policemen, although outnumbered, repulsed an attempt by communist guerillas to take over the police station Tuesday dawn, police and military authorities here said.

The Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion is now pursuing the New Peoples Army in the boundaries of North Cotabato, Bukidnon and Davao City.

Senior Inspector Bernabe Rubio, President Rojas police chief, led his men of about 20 on repulsing the attack carried by about 80 heavily armed communist rebels who arrived at the town plaza at 3:30 a.m.

The 30-minute heavy fighting left three rebels killed and another wounded.

No casualty on the government side except minor cuts on Rubio’s head caused by broken window glass.

Colonel Nilo Vinluan, chief of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the attackers numbering about 80 came in three vehicles, a multi-cab and two mini-trucks, arrived at 3 a.m. and sprayed the police office situated beside the town hall.

“Obviosuly, it was a desperate act by NPAs to divert military operations against communist rebels in the tri-borders of Bukidnon, Davao City and North Cotabato,” Vinluan said.

Three bodies of slain rebels were seen sprawled in the town hall and police office compound with one rebel still at the mini=dump truck. A handheld radio and an M-16 Armalite rifle with M-203 lay beside him.

“Our policemen were prepared, although outnumbered, they were not outsmarted by the surprise attack from communist guerillas,” Vinluan told Radyo DXND in Kidapawan City.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but Vinluan said the gunmen belonged to NPA Front 53 under lady Commander Jazmin. He was not sure whether Jazmin led the dawn attack or her deputies.

Rubio was at the second floor of the police office and traded shots with the attackers using M-16 rifle while his men at the first floor used cal. 30-machine gun.

Another attacker was wounded in the head and rushed by residents to the hospital in Kidapawan City.

Vinluan said pursuit operations are still on-going while members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives are still investigating.

The attack in President Rojas came 20 hours after about 100 communist rebels attacked and torched facilities of Sagitarrius Mines in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur Monday dawn.

Simultaneously, another band of rebels attacked a mining exploration site in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, disarmed its security personnel and carted away 14 assorted firearms.