TUGUEGARAO CITY—The Maddela police chief in Quirino was relieved of his post Monday following the attack of at least 50 suspected New People’s Army rebels at the town police station on Saturday night.
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 denied earlier reports he was abducted by the NPA rebels.
Balisi said he left his station to go to the Quirino provincial police office when the communist guerrillas attacked Maddela station.
Police Senior Inspector Reynaldo Gonzales, erstwhile 1st Maneuver Platoon commander of the Quirino Public Safety Company based in this town, will replace Balisi temporarily.
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. The attackers also burned a dump truck while fleeing.