By Mar Arguelles

Legazpi City (19 November) -- A former city police chief and Deputy chief of the Bicol National Police Community Relations Division (R5) escape unhurt yesterday an ambush staged by suspected communist guerillas at his house in Ligao City, an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol said.

Surviving the attack was Police Superintendent Arnel D. Rabe, 42, the Deputy Chief of the Police Community Relations Office in Camp Simeon Ola and a former chief of police Ligao City.

Police Supt. Eliciar Bron, PNP Bicol spokesman said the incident took place at about 6:10 AM Wednesday at the residence of the police officer along the Maharlika Highway in barangay Binatagan Ligao City.

Bron said three New People's Army (NPA) hit men on board a motorcycle attack by firing at the victim with their.45 caliber hand gun while he was about to ride his motorcycle to leave for work here.

Bron said the victim was hit at his left arm but was able to take cover and returned fire at his would be assassins, that made the attackers to immediately flee towards the neighboring town of Oas.

Police probers recovered from the crime scene eight empty shells and slugs from a .45 caliber pistol.

Bron said the attack was a "target of opportunity" by the assassins since Rabe's movement had been closely patterned by the communist rebels.

Report said Rabe a native of Ligao City and a PNPA graduate of 1990 was the city police chief from 2001 to 2003, at present he is the R5 deputy chief.