spot_img
28.1 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Landmine kills rookie cop, injures 5 others

- Advertisement -

TACLOBAN City–A rookie policeman was reported killed on Monday, while five of his companions were wounded in a landmine explosion in the outskirts of Las Navas town, in Northern Samar.

The fatality was identified as Patrolman Harvie Cortez Lovino, 30, married, assigned at 1st Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (NSPMFC) based in Catarman town.

Wounded in the explosion were Patrolmen Rico Borja and Leandro Luciano Bulosan, Army Cpl. Arvin Papong, Pfc. Whilydel Jic Rodona, Pfc. Wilmer Del Monte.

Brigadier General Bernard Banac, director of Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas, condemned the planting of the bomb by suspected communist rebel groups.

“It is a display of disrespect for human rights…and their destruction of the peace in Northern Samar,” Banac said.

- Advertisement -

Authorities said the incident took place at about 7 a.m. in Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas, while the combined police-Army team operatives were on their way to a remote barangay in Catubig, Northern Samar, for a community support program.

Meanwhile, Banac said such attacks by rebel groups “will never shake the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

“We will intensify our operations against insurgency and crime throughout the Eastern Visayas region,” Banac added.

Eastern Visayas, particularly Samar Island, has remained a stronghold of the New People’s Army (NPA),  the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles