PNP, AFP launch pursuit ops vs NPA unit in Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines - Police and military units in Negros Occidental have launched hot pursuit operations against of a group of New people's Army (NPA) rebels that waylaid a team of policewomen on a training mission. Senior Superintendent Rosendo Franco, provincial director of the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office, said police and military teams were deployed to Victorias City and nearby towns in search of the NPA gunmen responsible for the ambush that left a lady police officer killed and four others hurt. National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent A Bartolome said the victim PO1 Jean Tacadao will be accorded full honors and a heroes funeral for dying in the line of duty. Her family had already been notified by her superiors from the 6th Regional Mobile Goup. Those injured in the ambush are: PO1 Melanie Tupas, PO1 Marife Cantomayor, PO1 Jocelyn Tibar, and PO1 Annie Lou Patricio. In Camp Crame, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said they will provide all necessary financial assistance to the casualties of the ambush as he ordered ground troops to press the manhunt for the fleeing attackers. Two helicopter gunships based in Cebu were also dispatched to join in the pursuit operations against the rebels. The policewomen, all members of the 6th Regional Mobile Group, were on a training mission on board a police utility vehicle when ambushed by the NPA insurgents in Barangay Estado, Victorias City. Verzosa cited fields reports that the policewomen held their ground against the NPA attackers and managed to hold the enemy at bay until reinforcements arrived. - GMANews.TV