PRO8 NABS NPA HITMAN IN EASTERN SAMAR

Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, November 20, 2012 – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) alerted all its line units against possible atrocities that may be launched by the communist New People’s Army as a leader of its death squad was arrested by the police in Eastern Samar recently.

Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA said the entire police force has been alerted following the arrest of Clodualdo Anua y Calzado alias Melvin/Kidlat/Rico, a leader of the Special Partisan Armed Unit (SPARU) of the NPA in Llorente, Eastern Samar.

          “I reminded our policemen to be alert and vigilant as they (NPAs) might conduct atrocities in relation to said accomplishment,” SORIA said, further reminding his men on the recent rebel atrocities in the region.

The regional police chief added that he directed his men to initiate pro-active measures through target hardening and enhance personnel security to preempt any violent actions by the rebels.

         Reports reaching the PRO8 states that at around 9:50 o’ clock in the evening of November 17, Llorente  Police Station  received  an  information  that  5  armed men  believed  to  be members  of  the  SPARU hit squad of  the  NPA  were sighted heading towards Sitio Parik, Barangay 01, Llorente,  Eastern  Samar  and planning  to  conduct liquidation  targeting  PNP/AFP  personnel  passing  in the area.   

Acting  on  the report,  policemen from Llorente  Police  Station  led  by  Police Senior Inspector Gilberto B Colima, immediately proceeded  to  the area  to  verify and upon  reaching,  the armed men  suddenly  fired  their  short  firearms  towards the responding  police  elements. A short firefight ensued before the enemy scampered into different directions. There was no casualty on the government forces.

Pursuit operations conducted by  the police resulted to  the  arrest  of  its leader, who was later identified as Anua  and  the confiscation  from  his possession  a .45 caliber pistol marked MIV COLT bearing serial number 713363 loaded with 4  live  ammunitions while his companions managed  to  escape.

The arrested person is now under the custody of Llorente Police Station while appropriate criminal charges is now being prepared for filing in court against him, SORIA added.

The police regional director further informed that awards will be given to Llorente policemen in recognition of their bravery displayed during the gunfight with the suspected NPA assassins and the subsequent arrest of the death squad leader.