3 policemen killed in ambush on convoy bearing government executive
Probe into attack on Food and Drug Administration Director Puno urged
Manila: A morning ambush on a convoy carrying a government executive left three of her police escorts killed, in Camarines Sur province on Thursday.
The government convoy had just fetched Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Nela Charade Puno at the Naga City airport at around 9am, when an estimated 20 New Peoples’ Army (NPA) ambushed the party.
The convoy was travelling along the national highway in the town of Lupi in Camarines Sur when the ambush took place.
Puno was unhurt in the attack.
Police identified the fatalities as police sergeant Percival Rafael, corporal Carlito Navarozza and officer Jason Vida. Two other police escorts, officers Jonathan Perillo and Rodolfo Gonzaga and Ruby Buena, were injured in the attack.
Hours after the attack Health Secretary Francisco Duque III issued a statement condemning the attack Puno and her police escorts.
“Puno and her team were on their way to Daet, Camarines Norte, on Thursday morning after the provincial capital passed an ordinance requiring establishments to secure FDA clearance before acquiring a business licence.
“I condemn in no uncertain terms the attack on FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno and her team in Camarines Sur today. The leadership of the Department of Health is currently coordinating with the authorities for a full investigation,” Duque said.
Puno and her team were unharmed and were brought to a secure location. Investigations are currently underway.
“The safety of Director General Puno and FDA employees is our top priority at the moment. They have the full backing of the Department,” the health chief concluded.
Although ambushes on government security forces were not uncommon in the parts where the incident took place, police are trying to determine if the attacks has something to do with Puno’s work.
The FDA’s mandate is to approve for public use food products, drugs as well as cosmetics and medical procedures.
The attack likewise took place during the election period, when insurgents carry out activities in a bid to extort from politicians and those running for public office.
Police Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a television interview that the attack on Puno’s party took place despite the tight security being provided by the police and the military.
Albayalde said the insurgents had planned to detonate an Improvised Explosive Device along the path of the convoy.
The national police director general said with elections fast approaching, they expect the insurgents to intensify their activities. Last October 16, he said, an ambuscade in Aurora provinces’ village of Villa in Maria Aurora town, killed police corporal Marchal Ronald Rudeira.