Cops watch hospitals for NPAs hurt in Rizal clash

Police in eastern Metro Manila are keeping close watch over hospitals in the area for communist New People's Army rebels who may have been wounded in a firefight in Rizal province Tuesday. A report by radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen Wednesday said the Eastern Police District started the watch after four members of the Philippine National Police's Special Action Force were killed in an NPA attack. [See: 4 members of elite PNP unit die in Rizal ambush] Authorities claimed the attack was the NPA’s posturing for the May elections. Investigation showed the SAF unit was traveling in a remote area in Antipolo City when the armed men attacked, triggering a firefight about 6 a.m. Five other policemen were wounded while two others were reportedly missing. Before the firefight, a land mine and a grenade went off in the area. Authorities said the attackers numbered between 20 and 30. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV