MANILA - The New People's Army has claimed responsibility for the recent raid of a police detachment in Brgy. Malasibog, Escalante City, during which, nine firearms, including an M-60 machine gun were seized from the occupants.

The People's War bulletin of the New People's Army said the raid of a police detachment in Brgy. Malasibog, about eight kilometers away from the poblacion, caught offguard its 10 occupants, two policemen and eight militiamen, who were eating their breakfast on March 19.

It added that the raid and seizure of nine firearms, including a light machine gun, took place without a single shot being fired.

PNP chief Arturo Lomibao ordered the relief of Supt. Flomar Natuel as director of the 1st Provincial Mobile Group and PO3 Antonio Bravo as Malasibog detachment.

Lomibao reminded commanders of his one-strike policy, which prescribes the relief of any provincial police director of any town or city under his command is raided by the New People's Army.

Senior Inspector Argel Ancheta has been designated as successor of Natuel while Bravo is slated for transfer to Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City.

The raid of the Malasibog detachment was followed by another raid on a police station by the New People's Army in Sapang Dalag town in Misamis Occidental on March 20, where the PNP again lost nine firearms, including five M-16 assault rifles, the NPA People's War Bulletin also said.

On March 17, the NPA had also raided the Botolan Police Station in Zambales and carted away five assorted firearms. This led to the relief of Zambales provincial police director, police records show.

Inspector Mateo Maguate, Escalante police chief, yesterday said two of the rebels who had participated in the raid of Malasibog detachment and wearing bonnets, may have been known to the police and militiamen manning the detachment.

The 11th Infantry Battalion and 6th Regional Mobile Group are joining the 1st PMG troopers led by Natuel and Ancheta, in the pursuit operations against the fleeing rebel raiders.*GPB

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