2 cops killed in ambush in South Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY – Two motorcycle policemen were killed in an ambush Wednesday afternoon amid the coronavirus pandemic in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the duo, Corporal Witzel Betantos and Patrolman Bryan Costelo, were killed by at least 7 gunmen in the village of Koronadal in South Cotabato’s Polomolok town.

The ambushers escaped after the attack. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the communist rebel group New People’s Army is actively operating in the province.

Police photos show the captured New People's Army rebels
and their guns.

The ambush came hours after police commandos clashed with communist rebels in the town of Lake Sebu, about 56 kilometers from Polomolok. The fighting killed 2 rebels and captured 2 other female fighters - Mylene Pasandalan and Marina Limboy - in the village of Lamfugon.

Pasandalan, a New People’s Army platoon leader, is the wife of a senior rebel commander, Nato Mindal. It was not immediately known whether the ambush was in retaliation to the slayings of the 2 rebels and capture of the duo.

Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus.

“Terrorist attacks continue and no one knows who, when or where the next tragedy will occur. So be diligent every now and then. Don’t let your guard down especially when it comes to CNTs and other terrorist groups,” Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, the regional police commander, told police forces.

The killings occurred while the police are assisting the local government in fighting the spread of the coronavirus disease. The regional police force is under full alert status due to the pandemic. (Mindanao Examiner)

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