CAMP GEN. ALEJO S. SANTOS, Bulacan (PNA) — A policeman and a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel were killed during two police operations in San Jose del Monte this province.
Three other insurgents were captured, according to police authorities.
Killed on the government side was SPO2 Mario B. Llarinas, a member of the City of San Jose del Monte Police.
The slain rebel had been identified as Eric Sablayan of barangay Citrus, City of San Jose del Monte.
The police indentified those captured as Peter Pacatang, 19, a native of Cebu City; Burt Geroqueiah, 29; and John Paul Amora, 18, jobless. All three are residents of barangay Citrus.
Investigators said a rifle grenade, two long and one short magazines for M-16 rifle, one black bandolier, and 38 rounds of live ammunition for M-16 Armalite rifle had been confiscated from Pacatang.
Llarinas was killed when met by a burst of gunfire while approaching an NPA safehouse in barangay Citrus. He sustained several gunshot wounds in the body and was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital Ng Lungsod Ng San Jose del Monte, police said.
City police Chief Supt. Pedro G. Ramos sent Llarinas on a surveillance mission following the apprehension of Geroqueiah and Amora.
A join team from the city police, the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation branch, the 305th and 306th Provincial Mobile Groups, and the Special Reaction Unit and B Company of the 56th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army, mounted pursuit operations against the rebels after the killing of Llarinas.
The police pursuit team led by Ramos encountered three rebels in barangay San Martin de Porres, who were said to be members of the group that killed Llarinas. It was during that clash that Sablayan was killed.
Police recovered at the scene of the encounter one M-16 Armalite rifle, a .45 cal. pistol, homemade shotgun, six loaded magazines for M-16 Armalite rifle, and two loaded magazines for .45 cal. pistol.
The slain and captured rebels were members of an NPA group operating in the Northeastern section of Bulacan where their primary mission was to recruit new members and to conduct teach-ins, police said.
