TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – The Maddela police chief in Quirino was relieved of his post on May 1 following the attack by at least 50 suspected New People’s Army rebels at the town police station on Saturday night (April 29), killing one police officer.
Police Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, Cagayan Valley regional police director, said the relief of Police Chief Inspector Jhun-jhun Balisi took effect on May 1 to pave the way for a deeper probe on the attack.
Balisi has accepted his relief, saying he immediately heeded the order from higher authorities.
He, however, denied earlier reports that he was abducted by the New People’s Army rebels.
He said he left the station to go to the Quirino provincial police office when the communist guerrillas attacked the town station.
Police Senior Inspector Reynaldo Gonzales, erstwhile 1st Maneuver Platoon commander of the Quirino Public Safety Company based in this town, will temporarily replace Balisi.
Police Officer 2 Jerome Cardenas was killed in the attack as he was the first hit by a volley of fire from the communist rebels.
Initial information said the NPAs wore camouflage and declared they were conducting a “Tokhang” as they entered the police station, then started shooting.
The rebel-attackers were also tagged in the burning of a dump truck while fleeing.
