MANILA, Philippines - Seven policemen were killed in a land mine blast in Allacapan, Cagayan province on Monday morning.
Reports said that a truck carrying members of the Philippine National Police's elite Special Action Force (SAF) hit the landmine while travelling in Barangay Cataratan at around 8:30 a.m.
The report said that after the land mine exploded, the SAF members were allegedly fired at by an undetermined number of New People's Army (NPA) guerillas.
Cagayan Valley regional police director Rodrigo de Gracia said that the policemen were headed for a medical facility to undergo an electrocardiography or ECG procedure when the assault occurred.
PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo, meanwhile, said in a report that the NPA rebels also stole weapons from the cops following the attack.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Malacañang denounces the violence against the police officers.
"We condemn the attack on our people," Valte said.
The ambush came two days after seven Marine soldiers were killed in a skirmish with the Abu Sayyaf bandit group in Sulu.