LEGAZPI CITY: The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol deployed 2,000 augmentation force to Masbate to thwart violence during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Luisa Calubaquib, PNP regional spokesperson said, Masbate is one of the hotspots in thecountry following increasing violence since January with over 50 election-related shooting incidents reported. Meanwhile, suspected communist guerrillas ambushed members of Dimasalang Police Station that wounded a policeman in Barangay Balocawe, Dimasalang town in Masbate on Friday morning. Calubaquid said the policemen on board a patrol car were responding to the call of residents regarding the presence of armed men when suspected members of the New People’s Army attacked them. Wounded was Police Officer 1 Mark Andy Llamazares who was brought to a hospital in Dimasalang for treatment.

Source: Manila Times May 04, 2018 16:18 UTC