Exclusiveand 3 cops hurt in NPA bomb attack in North Cotabato
Breaking News • 00:05 AM Wed Sep 17, 2014
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By:
Williamor Magbanua
Photo by John Unson
MAGPET,
North Cotabato (Sept. 16/NDBC)-- Three police officers were hurt when suspected
New Peoples Army (NPA) set off a roadside bomb in a remote village here Tuesday
morning, the Army said.
Capt.
Manuel Gatus, 57th Infantry Battalion spokesperson, said communist guerrillas operating
in Magpet-Arakan area planted the improvised bomb beside a dirt road between Barangay
Natutungan and Bagumbayan, both in Magpet, North Cotabato and set it off at 9
a.m. as the policemen were passing by.
Actually,
two IED's exploded in succession that resulted to slight injuries of the PNP
members, Gatus said. He refused to name the wounded officer.Gatus
said the PNP personnel were rushing to the area after receiving reports of
alleged harassment by the NPA in Barangay Bagumbayan.
The
wounded PNP members are now safe and being treated at a hospital in Kidapawan
City, Gatus said.
Reports
reaching the Philippine Army headquarters in Magpet showed at least 50 heavily
armed men were seen in the area before the explosions.
Responding
Army and police units engaged the gunmen in a 15-minute fire fight before the guerrillas
fled to the hinterlands of Magpet. (NDBC)