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MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine town police chief and one of his men were feared abducted Sunday after the town force clashed with communist rebels, officials said. One of the guerrillas was killed.
Police in northeastern Quezon province have been ordered to put up checkpoints as security forces run after rebels involved in the clash in San Andres township, Senior Supt. Erickson Velasquez said.
The chief, Senior Inspector Glenn Miralles, and another policeman are missing, and another policeman was wounded, he said. The rebels also clashed with army troops who reinforced the police but there were no immediate details.
Police were preparing security for Monday’s nationwide village elections when they clashed with around 40 guerrillas in the village of Talisay, Col. Generoso Bolina, a military spokesman, said. The rebels may have dragged away the policemen, he added.
The Philippines’ 41-year Marxist rebellion has been one of Asia’s longest and bloodiest. More than 120,000 combatants and civilians have died in the rural-based rebellion.
The police and military have been on full alert for Monday’s election in the country’s 42,025 villages. Village leaders and council members are to be elected, as well youth council representatives chosen by those ages 15 to 17.
Police officials said at least 29 people have been killed and 12 wounded in 40 election-related violence since the election period started Sept. 25.
