By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 mourned the death of a rookie police who was ambushed by unidentified armed men at Sitio Ipil-ipil, Barangay San Roque, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental last Monday.
The victim was identified as Police Corporal Rey Ambo, 37, a resident of Basay town, who was assigned at the 705th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-7 based in Sta. Catalina town.
In a report from PRO-7, Ambo, along with Patrolman Rhullin Mar Abrasaldo were on patrol and gathering information on the reported presence of armed men in the said village when the perpetrators shot them with a .9mm-caliber firearm (KG-9).
Police Chief Master Sergeant Archer Birjes, case investigator of Bayawan City Police Station, said that Ambo suffered multiple gunshot wounds that caused his death, while his colleague was unharmed and was able to call for assistance.
Birjes said the two cops were on civilian clothes and were riding their motorcycles, as they were tasked to do monitoring in the area being intelligence operatives.
The perpetrators were believed to be hiding in the bushes where they staged the ambush.
Although the area is not infiltrated by the New People’s Army (NPA), Birjes said that there’s a possibility that armed persons could still pass by the area or stay there temporarily to hide.
Birjes said the ambush site is far from the houses.
“Bundok na po kasi iyon, talahiban sa gilid, and scattered ang mga bahay, wala pong nakakita talaga sa nangyari,” he added.
Birjes said they have yet to talk to Ambo’s colleague if they were able to retaliate during the attack.
Police are looking into the incident as insurgency-related or work-related.
Meanwhile, a minor, who was in the area was reportedly wounded in the attack and was brought to Bayawan District Hospital, according to a report from PRO-7.
In a statement, Police Brigadier General Roque Eduardo DP Vega, director of PRO-7, ordered the city police force to conduct a pursuit operation for the possible identification and arrest of the suspects.
The regional police office strongly condemned this blatant act of violence to one of their gallant policemen in service.
“We are sending our prayers and condolences to the bereaved family and assure them that justice will be served,” Vega said.
