Three policemen of the 92nd Special Action Company-9th Special Action Force Battalion were wounded in an ambush launched by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Putiao, Pilar, Sorsogon in the morning of February 22. Wounded were identified as MSgt. Osmer Edwin Apa, PSSgt. Arnel Aves and PCpl. Jeffrey Putian.

This action serves as NPA’s response to the police atrocities against the people of Sorsogon. One notorious example of this is the massacre of five farmers in Barangay Dolos, Bulan last year and the murder of Michael Bagasala on January 24 in Barangay San Antonio, Barcelona.

Ka Samuel Guerrero, spokesperson of NPA-Sorsogon, warns the Regional Task Force Katoninongan asin Kauswagan to end its fascist violence in the province. “The entire revolutionary movement, together with the Sorsoganon people, will hold the masterminds of the PNP and AFP’s counterinsurgency campaign in Sorsogon accountable,” Guerrero added.

The NPA-Sorsogon encourages the local provincial officials led by Gov. Chiz Escudero to resign from the bogus RTF-ELCAC and instead stand with the victims of the PNP and AFP’s reign of terror in the province.

“The Red fighters will continue to launch tactical offensives to boost the determination and daringness of the masses to expose the crimes and violence of the PNP and AFP in the province,” Guerrero ended.

In related news, the NPA-Sorsogon strongly condemned the 22nd IB’s indiscriminate firing on civilians in Barangay Marinab, Bulan, Sorsogon on February 23. Salvador Magas, resident of Barangay Taromata, was wounded and was taken to the nearest hospital. He is now under police custody as he was accused as an NPA member which was firmly belied by his family and neighbors. The police planted firearms and explosives to use as evidence against Magas.