MANILA — Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) director Chief Supt. Mariel Magaway has been relieved from his post following the attack by communist rebels on the town hall and police station of Lapinig, Northern Samar early Friday morning.
In a statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said the PNP Oversight Committee has appointed PNP Aviation Security Group director Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos as officer-in-charge of PRO-8 following Magaway’s relief.
Aside from Magaway, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde also ordered the relief of all personnel of the Lapinig Municipal Police Station in Northern Samar and their immediate superior officers as investigation into the circumstances surrounding the raid is underway.
Reports said at least 100 New People’s Army members laid siege to the town around 2 a.m.
Two policemen, PO1 Edison Aguirre and PO2 Gerry Quilicol, were wounded in the reported initial firefight with the armed group. They were brought to the Gamay District Hospital for medical treatment.
At least nine service firearms as well as cash, cellphones, and laptop computers were missing and believed to have been taken by the NPA raiders.
Others relieved from their post were Insp. Noli Montebon, Lapinig chief of police; Chief Insp. Juan Byron Leogoe, commander of the 2nd Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company; and Northern Samar provincial director Senior Supt. Romeo Campomanes. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
