Suspected NPA rebels shoot up checkpoint in Laguna

A soldier and three civilians were hurt in an attack at a military-police checkpoint in Alaminos town in Laguna province, allegedly staged by New People’s Army rebels, an Army battalion commander in the area said Friday. Two motorcycle-riding men opened fire at the checkpoint, wounding one Pfc. de Guzman, and civilian bystanders Arthur Bencito, 27; Emeraldo Pelagio, 32; and Miriam Espiritu, 34, according to 1st Infantry Battalion chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. Thursday in San Miguel village in Alaminos town, just a few hours after the checkpoint was set up.

Personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) put up the checkpoint at 8 a.m. Thursday “to check on the reported movement of armed men with high-powered firearms." The AFP and PNP have been authorized to establish checkpoints in strategic places to contain the proliferation of loose firearms and ensure that the coming national elections would be peaceful. “Per evaluation of Pfc de Guzman, he was able to hit one of the suspects," said Bacarro. The suspects were able to withdraw towards Sta. Rosa village, also in Alaminos town. Pursuit operations are ongoing against the fleeing suspects, Bacarro added. “It's positive they are NPAs," said Bacarro of the suspects. – JMA/JV, GMANews.TV