DILG commends Samar cops; directs PNP to launch offensive vs rebels

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has commended the 15 policemen who defended their police station in Victoria, Northern Samar from around 50 fully-armed communist terrorist rebels on Thursday and turning it into a tactical victory by inflicting casualties on the enemy.

“Despite being outnumbered by the attacking communist terrorists, these brave police officers held their position and defeated the enemy. This is a highly commendable accomplishment that should be the standard in all police stations nationwide: outnumbered but never outfought,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año.

According to Police Regional Office No. 8, the 15 police officers on duty at the time were led by Victoria MPS Chief, P/Lieutenant Eladio G. Alo in a 3-hour long gun battle between the cops and communist rebels.
Año commended both PRO 8 Regional Director P/BGen Dionardo Carlos and Alo for successfully repulsing the terrorist attack of the armed Reds.

He adds that the deserving personnel of the PNP will be given due honors and recognition.

The DILG Chief also called on the PNP to work closely with the military to intensify the government’s campaign to end communist terrorism in the country by taking the offensive.

“The best defense is always offense. Let us go and attack the NPA guerrilla bases in tandem with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and make sure that these NPA terrorists will pay for their heinous crimes against the Filipino people,” says Año.

On March 28, 2019, around 50 members of the NPA aboard two six-wheeler trucks opened fire at the Victoria Municipal Police Station (MPS) at 3:30 A.M.

Two cops were wounded in the firefight, namely P/Senior Master Sergeant Arturo S. Gordo, Jr. and P/Master Sergeant Arnold P. Cabacang. Meanwhile, on the communists side, three were killed and one was captured.

Recovered from the site were two M16 rifles, one M14 rifle and one calibre 60. After three hours of heavy firing, the shooting ended at 6:40 A.M.

“The attack is a desperate but futile attempt of the Left to strike fear among our men in uniform. The government will not be intimidated by this dastardly act of violence and will only intensify our campaign to end terrorism in the country,” says Año.