GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija — A policeman and three civilians were killed in an ambush staged by more than 10 heavily armed men along the provincial road in Barangay Tampac 1 here at about 6:46 p.m. on Tuesday.
The attack by the alleged members of a robbery-hold-up gang also wounded two other policemen and two civilians.
Chief Insp. Jacqueline Gahid, information head of the Nueva Ecija Police, identified the fatalities as PO1 Ruben Badongen, Erick Fardo, and relatives Ronaldo and Alfonso Sambrano.
Wounded were PO3 Christopher Delfin, PO1 Mick Serrano, Raymundo Delfin, and Orlando Balmater.
“The three died on the spot while Badongen expired while undegoing medical treatment in a local hospital at around 10:44 p.m.,” Gahid said.
The victims were allegedly conducting surveillance for a possible operation against the group of Jay-Ar del Rosario, a robbery-hold-up and gun-for-hire criminal group operating in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces, when their presence was noticed.
Investigation showed the victims were on board a Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia van with no plate number when more than 10 heavily armed men on board a motorcycle, black Honda CRV and white SUV without plate numbers, overtook and fired upon the victims’ vehicle.
“The criminal group tailed them and overtook their vehicle and simultaneously fired and an exchange firefight ensued,” Gahid said.
Noticeably, though, some fighting cocks were found inside the victims’ vehicle.
The policemen were all detailed at the regional police’s intelligence group.
Forensic investigators recovered several pieces of spent shells from various types of guns. (Marilyn Galang/PNA)
