Cabangbang said Tigbao has only 23 policemen and is the second smallest police station, in terms of strength, in Zamboanga del Sur.
Lakewood has 20 policemen and is the smallest police station, he said.
Taken by the NPA rebels were eight high-powered firearms consisting of seven M-16 Armalite rifles, an M-14 rifle and a .9-mm pistol, Gucela disclosed.
Aside from their superiority in number, Gucela said the rebels caught the policemen by surprise since they were clad in fatigue uniforms and one of them even introduced himself as a military officer.
Wesmincom chief Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes has ordered the deployment of troops to assist the police in pursuing the rebels and in rescuing Faisal.
“The New People’s Army raid of the Tigbao police station is not a cause for alarm.[]
