Joint police and military forces are pursuing members of the New People’s Army (NPA) involved in the encounter that killed a police officer and wounded two others in a remote village of Calatrava in Negros Occidental on Wednesday, August 9.

Colonel Leo Pamittan, provincial director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), said on Thursday, August 10, the operation is being conducted by personnel of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force and Regional Mobile Force Battalion and soldiers of the Philippine Army.

“Our hot pursuit operation is ongoing. They’re still there,” he added.

The NOCPPO has yet to release photos of the incident as of posting time.

Killed in action was Corporal Jaime Nuñez, while those wounded were deputy station chief, Captain Jesus Alba, and Corporal Dennis Nasis, all of the Calatrava Municipal Police Station.

The incident took place at Sitio Icogan, Barangay Minapasuk while the troops were on their way to serve arrest warrants against NPA members identified as Darry Dayawan, who is facing a murder case, and Charity Amacan, who is charged with unlawful possession of an explosive.

Pamittan said the troops were passing through a secluded area when they encountered the rebels.

In a statement on Thursday, the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) mourned the death of Nuñez as it condemned the terroristic act perpetrated by the NPA.

“PRO-6 is saddened by the demise of Corporal Nuñez and the injury incurred by two others, who performed their duty with zeal and dedication to deliver justice to the victim of crime and their families,” Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, the regional director, said. (PNA)