Suspected NPA rebel, cop slain in Pasay shootout  

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel, wanted for the murder of a barangay official in Masbate, and a police officer were killed in a shootout in Pasay City on Friday.

Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. identified the police officer as S/Sgt. Nikki Codera, a member of the Masbate 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, while the alleged communist rebel is Hubert Aplacador.

The gun battle occurred in Malibay at around 4:40 a.m.

Danao said police were about to serve Aplacador a warrant of arrest when he allegedly put up a fight.

Aplacador is wanted for the murder of Mawelito Escarcha, a kagawad of Barangay Almero in Esperanza town, who was killed at his residence by armed men on Sept. 2, 2021.

Aplacador died at the scene while Codera and another police officer, Lt. Rogelio Walay, were brought to the San Juan de Dios Medical Center for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds.

Codera, however, was pronounced dead on arrival.

“It is unfortunate that one of our comrades died while fulfilling his duty as law enforcer,” Danao said.

Danao visited Codera’s wake at a funeral parlor in Pasay yesterday and gave the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to the policeman’s family.

Danao also visited Walay at the hospital where the latter is recuperating from his wounds.