Army, police brace for possible NPA attacks

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) are strengthening their security measures and monitoring in some areas of central and southern Negros, following threats from an armed group believed to be the New People’s Army (NPA).

This, after about 15 armed men who introduced themselves as NPA members stormed the house of Tinongan village chief in Isabela town last Wednesday.

Police Major Reuben Pajarito, town police chief, said the armed men forcibly entered the house of the barangay official, and searched the house as they were allegedly looking for a firearm, but found nothing.

“When they learned that the village official was not at home, the armed men reportedly told the family that the village official should stay away from the barangay, they then fled,” Pajarito said.

The family was warned against reporting the incident to the police.

Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, 303rd IBde commander, said he directed all battalion commanders to heighten their combat operations and intensify their intelligence monitoring on the ground to monitor all barangays.

Arevalo said the rebels are trying to retaliate after what happened in Bacolod, where authorities raided the offices of some progressive groups, which the Army claimed to be legal fronts of the NPA.

“It’s a big loss sa kanila. Kahit sabihin nila na legal organizations iyon, alam naman natin na binobola nila tayo. The truth is that they are really supporting the armed struggle,” he added.

Arevalo said they are expecting retaliation but they will also not stop retaliating for the people. He is appealing to the people to report any presence of armed men for immediate action.

“Importante na tulong-tulong tayo para mas madali sila na matuntun at mahanap,” he said.

Arevalo said the threat is not alarming, as they will be aggressive in their operations in running after these armed men.

Meanwhile, Police Major Edison Garcia, public information officer of Nocppo, said that Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Nocppo director, directed his personnel to review security threat assessment in police stations to check the station’s preparedness.

This is part of our precautionary measures to avoid untoward incidents against the law enforcers, he added.

He said they are also coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in terms of the security operations.

The Army and the police said they are considering adding more soldiers and policemen but no definite figure yet and schedule of deployment.