By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Members of the Cauayan Municipal Police Station were allegedly ambushed yesterday afternoon by several unidentified gunmen while on patrol at the town’s Sitio Suhoton, Barangay Caliling.
According to Cauayan municipal police chief, Police Chief Inspector Alan Gary Resuma, a 20-minute firefight ensued between the police officers and the armed men.
Cops also managed to rescue three civilians when their vehicle was trapped amid the encounter.
The three, which include two foreigners from Sweden, whom police did not name, were rushed to the town’s district hospital after suffering various wounds.
Resuma also said members of the Philippine Army provided reinforcement for police officers until the gunmen retreated from the area.
The town police chief also believes the ambush was perpetrated by members of the New People’s Army (NPA)./WDJ