AN all-out pursuit operations was ordered by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) who ambushed a convoy of police and local health workers who were on their way to fetch coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.
PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar also directed the Regional Director of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8), Police BGen. Ronaldo de Jesus, to start the legal offensive not only against those responsible for the attack but also to the leaders of the CPP-NPA-NDF in the area.
“To condemn this another attack is not enough dahil hindi na tinatablan ng hiya at masasakit na salita ang mga taong ito. What is needed is a decisive action to stop them from doing the same kind of terrorism activities,” said PGen Eleazar.
Based on the report from PRO8, personnel of the Calbayog City Police Station and health workers from the Calbayog City Health Office were on their way to the Department of Health Regional Office in Tacloban City to get the COVID-19 vaccines when the vehicle they were boarding were repeatedly shot on Tuesday afternoon, July 27, in Barangay Lale, Pinabacdao, Samar.
After an initial burst of gunfire, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used by the unidentified Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members.
Fortunately, the Calbayog City police personnel were able to protect themselves and the health workers from the attackers. No one was reported hurt during the incident.
The CTG members, on the other hand, immediately fled after the Calbayog City Police personnel started to maneuver to engage the attackers.
“Hindi lang ang mga pulis at mga health workers ang pinagtangkaan nila ng masama dito, kundi pati na rin ang mga kababayan natin sa Calbayog City na naghihintay ng bakuna,” he added.
PGen Eleazar said the attack carried out by the CPP-NPA-NDF is another proof of total disregard on the life of civilians, citing the case of college football player Keith Absalon and his uncle Nolven Absalon who died in an NPA ambush in Masbate City and watchman Eldrin Daraman who was killed when the NPA attacked a construction site in Surigao del Sur last month.