ILOILO CITY (PIA) - - Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Rolando F. Miranda lauded the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) personnel for their bravery in fulfilling their mandate of providing security and maintenance of peace and order.
Two police officers were wounded in an encounter between the 1st Iloilo PMFC and an undetermined number of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT) at 2:45 in the afternoon of October 24, 2021 in Barangay Jolason, Tubungan, Iloilo.
The CNTs are members of the Southern Front Committee, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay (SFC, KRP).
The wounded cops were identified as Patrolman Jessie Castamado and Police Corporal Genel Simpas, who were immediately brought to Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial District Hospital in Guimbal, Iloilo for appropriate medical attention. Both are in stable condition.
“The atrocities of the CNTs show that they are upset about the PNP’s presence in Barangay Mayang, Tubungan, Iloilo. They do not want a peaceful and progressive community. Their fraudulent actions show that they are weakening and are only desperate to project that they remain strong and capable force, when in fact they are not,” Miranda said in a press report of PRO 6.
Miranda said “I would like to extend my appreciation to the troop who courageously and directly engaged against the CTGs. Despite the challenges faced, be assured that the PNP will not cease in performing its mandate to maintain security and peace and order in the communities.”
He urged the CNTs not to cause disorder in the communities that will affect the civilians in their pursuit of harming the government forces.
Instead, they are encouraged to return to the folds of law. There are government programs available, like the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) which will assist them in resuming a normal and peaceful life.
According to the PRO 6 press report, the incident happened after the troop’s patrol base at Barangay Mayang, Tubungan was fired upon in the early morning of October 24, 2021 by suspected CNT members. This prompted the PNP personnel to scour the source of shots.
As they searched the area, the team led by PLT Renzo Martinez encountered an undetermined CNT members. The latter detonated two Improvised Explosive Device (directional type). The exchange of fire lasted for around seven minutes. After which, the enemy withdrew and fled to unknown directions.
Iloilo Police Provincial Office Units and nearby provinces were alerted. Adjacent police stations were directed to conduct blocking and checkpoint operations. (RPIO/laf/PIA6-Iloilo/Thumbnail photo courtesy of PRO6)
