Police station in Negros Oriental raided by suspected NPA, one policeman wounded

Miami
November 3, 2008
Story: Police station in Negros Oriental raided by suspected NPA, one policeman wounded

A police station in Negros Oriental was believed to be raided by members of the New People’s Army last November 2, 2008 at around 11:00 pm.

On the report received by Regional Director Chief Supt. Ronald Roderos of Police Regional Office 7, said that the La Libertad police station located in barangay Poblacion was raided by more or less 40 unidentified armed men.

There were 10 on duty police personnel at the station out of the 26 total numbers of police they have.

Based on the narrative of facts given by Negros Oriental Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Augusto marquez to Roderos; there is a woman who went to the La Trinidad police station and said that she has a complaint to make. One of the investigators outside entertained her and even invited to go inside the station while three men on board a pedicab are also approaching the station.

When the woman entered the police station, other armed men rushed up and pointed their guns at the persons in the administration room saying "You are not our enemy, but we have to do this because we hate your boss," referring to Cong. Jocelyn Limkaichiong of 1st District of Negros Oriental, and divested four M16s and five cal 45 pistols (two were privately owned) of the police inside.

Two of the alleged NPAs went to the backdoor to check other policemen present at the backyard, PO1 Carl Mark Jotillo, the desk officer, alerted by the commotion hid at the back of plywood inside of a small room and waited for the enemy to come nearer.

While Jotillo was plywood, an NPA was approaching near and at 2 feet distance (separated by the plywood), Jotillo opened fire with his M16 thru the plywood wall, killing the NPA which was later dragged by his companions while they are withdrawing at the area.

The 2nd NPA opened fire and retaliated, forcing Jotillo to jump over the small window, wounded in his left leg, and crawled towards the beach near the station for his safety.

Other police personnel outside the station opened fire, which prompted the enemy to withdraw.

The incident lasted in 2 minutes. Some police personnel immediately rushed Jotillo to Guihulngan hospital using their patrol car while other personnel pursued the enemy on foot, firing towards the enemy who boarded a Nissan Urvan.

Divested at the police station four issued M16 rifles, six caliber .45 pistols, camouflage uniforms, combat boots, mobile phones, wrist watches, and wallets.

Hot pursuit operations were ongoing as of this writing.