Cop slain in NPA ambush in Bansalan, Davao del Sur laid to rest

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Police officers today sent one of their own to his final resting place in a family owned farm lot here about 10 days after he and three others were killed in an ambush by communist guerillas in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.Police Officer 1 Joey O. Narvasa, 26, was buried by his family and colleagues at 1 p.m. Sunday after a requiem mass at St. Paul II Parish Church in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City. Image may contain 2 people text sand//scontent.fmnl4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17191465_706750696173506_4488306471615376841_n.jpg?oh=10c27dfeb79659306fdfd31fbed12153andampoe=596EA9C5 Eldest of the three siblings, Narvasa is a resident of Kidapawan City but works at Bansalan police office. Hisfather was a former police officer assigned in Digos City.Senior Supt. Samuel Gadingan, the Davao del Sur police chief, led police from Bansalan PNP and Davao del Sur in paying respect to a fallen comrade. On March 8, five police officers, including one Scene of the Crime Operative, were proceeding to Barangay Sibayan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur to investigate a murder case based on the report of the village chairperson.On their way to the village, they were ambushed by a 14-man New Peoples Army hit squad.The four victims were identified as Police Officer 3 Jayden May Rabor of the police Scene of the Crime Operations unit of Digos City, Police Officers 1 Rolly Benelayo, Joe Narvaza and Saro Mangutara of the Bansalan police station.PO3 Allen Arnado, who was seated at the back of the driver of Toyota Hi-Lux pick-up police car,escaped by jumping off toward a cliff at the first burst of gunfire. He had minor scratches in his arms. Image may contain one or more people and indoor sand//scontent.fmnl4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17362475_1327868283926454_743345218222023331_n.jpg?oh=9b85cc12a32fca7a03b04f302da6b0ddandampoe=596C4B0D At news conference in Davao City, Arnado said all of them except Benelayo were armed with short firearms. Benelayo, the driver was armed with M-16 Armalite rifle but he was not able to fire back because he was first.Arnado said the ambushers were on the higher ground.At the first volley of fire, Arnado said he jumped off the canal and crawled to his life until residents found him. The villagers hid him until responding Army and police arrived. He was rushed to the hospital.All slain cops were tested negative of paraffin, an indication they did not fire their weapons. Image may contain 4 people sand//scontent.fmnl4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17155676_1416144165125491_917672185061973521_n.jpg?oh=236a4cd2c35edf45d1a20dd058790ac4andampoe=5928D609