Iloilo PNP hits NPAs ‘defiance of peace’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Far from being the army of the masses, the New People’s Army (NPA) is the state’s true enemy of peace.

This is what the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) pointed following the harassment allegedly perpetrated by NPA members against members of the Tubungan Police Station.

In a statement, the IPPO said “it is enraged by the atrocity perpetrated by the members of local communist terrorists against the PNP personnel” at Brgy. Balicua, Tubungan, Iloilo afternoon of Dec 17.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, stressed that the said “terroristic act is a blatant insult not only to the desire of the Ilonggos for a peaceful celebration of the Holiday season, but also a clear manifestation of the continued defiance of the NPAs to government’s call for real and lasting peace.”

“The treachery of the NPA in an attempt to harm the government forces and its properties gives a strong reason for the Ilonggos to declare these terrorists as persona non grata,” he said.

Gorero vowed that the Iloilo police force will not rest in running after these terrorists who for decades are known only for sowing terror and deceiving the people.

He cited that the “NPA’s continued atrocity remains a hindrance for lasting peace and progress in the province of Iloilo.”

The IPPO also reiterated its condemnation of the NPA and “abhorred the evils it brings to the community.”

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 6 also condemned the “treacherous attack” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) at Barangay Balicua.

PRO-6 said the “CPP-NPA’s violent act simply shows the real character of the CPP-NPA which intends to destroy the peace and order, create havoc and spread terror in the town of Tubungan.”

It also condemned the use of a landmine, an improvised explosive, to attack personnel, which the region’s police force said is a clear indication that the CPP-NPA has no respect for human rights and never bothers if they would injure civilians living near the area.

“The use of landmines is prohibited under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (or Mine Ban Convention), adopted in 1997,” the statement added.

“Police Regional Office 6 will remain vigilant against enemy attacks and will continue to hunt down CPP-NPAs who are hiding and using the communities as their shield to evade the authorities.”