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PNP orders manhunt vs. gunmen in Mindoro ambush
FILE: MORE POLICEMEN DURING MAY POLLS. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde (center) says he will deploy 75 percent to 80 percent of their personnel to secure the May 13 mid-term polls, during the press conference after the signing of the Joint Letter Directive 01-2019 at the Tejeros Hall in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday (April 16, 2019). The letter states the delegation of election tasks of the police and the military, which will deploy some 40,000 troops for the polls. With Albayalde are AFP Chief-of Staff, Gen.
Benjamin Madrigal Jr. (left), and Commission on Elections Chairman Sheriff Abas. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, ordered a manhunt against the suspects in the ambush of a police mobile in Socorro, Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday, wounding three police officers.
“PNP Chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde has directed the PRO4B (Police Regional Office 4B) under PBGen Tomas Apolinario Jr. to immediately launch manhunt operations, expedite the investigation and make all perpetrators accountable before the law following the ambush incident that transpired at 7:45 a.m., at SRNH, Brgy. Pasi 2, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement sent to reporters.
A report reaching Camp Crame said the suspects fired upon the police mobile patrol of the Pinamalayan Municipal Police Station, which was carrying five policemen – including the chief of the police station – along Barangay Pasi 2.
Chief Master Sergeant Ivan Fortus, Senior Master Sergeant Irene Lazo and Corporal Ivy Carmona, were wounded in the incident while Pinamalayan Municipal Police Station chief, Capt. Ruelito Magtibay and Patrolman Raquel Generoso, who was driving the vehicle, were unharmed.
The victims were on their way to attend a radio program in Calapan City. They were accompanied by Barangay Palayan Chairperson Noli dela Cruz, who sustained a minor scratch.
Based on initial report, the victims evaded the ambush by continuously driving away from the killing zone.
According to Barangay Pasi 2 chairman Danilo Caspe, they heard a loud explosion followed by a burst of gunfire from the place of incident.
The injured victims were brought to a hospital.
Police recovered sacks, painted with the warning, “Stop NPA ambush on-going”, from the scene.
