Neophyte policewoman killed in action
BACOLOD CITY -- The remains of PO1 Jane Tacadao, a 29-year old policewoman from San Lorenzo, Guimaras, who was killed in an ambush in Victorias City on Wednesday was temporarily laid at Rolling Hills Memorial Chapel while preparations are being made for the transfer to her hometown.
Tacadao's family arrived here yesterday but they momentarily refused talking to reporters because of shock.
Tacadao was hit on her back by an M-14 rifle which caused her instantaneous death.
Her other companions who were injured are Police Officers 1 Melanie Tupaz of Guimaras; Maria Fe Cantomayor of Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Annie Lou Patricio of the province of Antique and Jocelyn Tebar of Madurruaio, Iloilo City. They are now confined at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital.
All policewomen, riding the Toyota Hi-Lux police vehicle were accompanying Supt. Remus Zacharias Canieso, who was on his way to visit a police outpost in Brgy. Gawahon, Victorias City but unfortunately they were ambushed by about 10 to 30 suspected New People's Army rebels in Hacienda San Vicente, Brgy. 10 Estado, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, at about 2 p.m. Wednesday.
SPO1 Menardo Ellaga, Operations chief of the Victorias City Police Station was among those who accompanied the team but was not hurt together with Canieso and his four other armed RMG security escorts, as well as the driver.
They managed to fire back the rebels with the gunbattle lasting almost 30 minutes.
303rd Brigade Commanding General Josue Gaverza said it was a only small group of NPA roaming around the area.
Reinforcements have been made by the brigade through two Huey helicopter gun ships and armored personnel carriers with Lt. Col. Sagat Bongolan, Army's Task Group Lawin commander, joining the Philippine Army in pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels.
Supt. Leo Irwin Agpangan, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office, Bacolod Police Station 2 Commander Chief Inspector Leonardo Angcon and troopers of the 612th Provincial Mobile Group led by Supt. Roderick Alba also joined the reinforcement team and later discovered some bloodstains inside the sugarcane fields, indicating that some of the rebel ambushers may have also been injured also.
Investigators recovered inside the sugarcane field two knapsacks containing personal belongings, an empty magazine of M-14 assault rifle and an unexploded rifle grenade.
Before the incident, according to Canieso, there were reports that NPA rebels may attack other government outposts in northern Negros, but not the Regional Mobile Group.