TRUCE BREACH: Hours after ceasefire takes effect, NPA ‘ambush’ police security convoy

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

At 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 23, 2019, a bilateral ceasefire between government forces and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) took effect.

The truce was supposed to run until 11:59 of Jan. 7, 2020.

But hours later, an improvised explosive device (IED) went off at Tubungan, Iloilo.

The landmine was meant for members of the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Barangay Lanag, Tigbauan town and the 601st Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion.

The teams were navigating Singon, a village just 3 kilometers from the town proper around 9:20 a.m. when an explosion was heard, followed by successive gunfire

Police Colonel Roland Vilela, Iloilo police chief, said policemen were able to return fire.

“But we believe, they (suspects) just wanted to immobilize the vehicle,” he said.

The suspects were also positioned at a distance where it was difficult to hit a moving target.

Two policemen, Patrolman Eric Galve and Staff Sergeant Ian John Lindo, suffered minor injuries.

The police vehicle, a back-to-back patrol car, was also hit with shrapnel and bullets.

It appeared that the police personnel involved were the security convoy of another police team who earlier engaged NPA rebels two days ago.

At around 9:15 am Saturday, joint elements of the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company led by Police Major Abner Jordan and Regional Mobile Force Company led by Police Captain Bonifacio Alabe Jr. encountered around 15 fully armed persons believed to be NPA members at Sitio Cadingli-an, Barangay Boloc, Tubungan.

“Because of the declaration of suspension of police operations (SOPO), some of our troops were already pulled out from the area. The involved personnel were the security convoy of our personnel who went down from the hinterlands,” Vilela said.

Based on evidence they gathered, Vilela said the IED may have been buried about a month ago.

“We believe that the incident was a deliberate attempt to hurt or kill our troops, despite the existence of the ceasefire,” he said.

Vilela said about five armed rebels were seen withdrawing towards Sitio Obay, Barabgag Sto. Nino, Tubungan town.

The rebels could be members of the group led by Nahum Camariosa alias Binong.

 

SOPO DECLARATION 

At about the same time, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, was also holding a press conference where he announced the bilateral ceasefire between the government and the rebel group.

“I would personally give assurance that our personnel will not fire the first shot,” he said.

Pamuspusan also announced that the implementing rules relative to the suspension of police operation (SOPO) were already sent out to troops on the ground.

While the police will not conduct offensive actions, “I have ordered unit commanders to be on defensive stance so that we could protect our troops,” he said.

Pamupusan said they should be on the defensive mode since there were instances in the past where the NPAs were known to harass or embarrass government troops despite the ceasefire agreement.

Despite the partial pull out of some troops because of the ceasefire declaration, Pamuspusan said they would still monitor activities of the rebels.

 

SOPO RULES

In implementing the SOPO, the PNP shall observe the following rules:

• All units shall refrain from initiating combat police operations against the NPA;
• The SOPO shall not cover normal law enforcement operations including the service of warrants of arrest;
• All PNP units are enjoined to be vigilant in the performance of their duties to prevent any untoward incident as a result of insurgents’ hostile action;
• The SOPO shall be observed and respected by all units and personnel of the PNP;
• The SOPO shall be without prejudice to actions aimed at protecting the people and the communities. All units shall implement active and passive measures as necessary to deter and/or prevent the NPA from taking advantage of the SOPO. Recognizing the inherent right to self-defense, all units must remain on-guard and maintain a high state of operational readiness to respond to event hostile actions; and
• The PNP shall continue to implement Enhanced Managing Police Operations (E-MPO) and to conduct the following active defensive measures:

1. Security patrols to protect all PNP camps, stations, vital government and private installations, and civilian communities;
2. Fortification and strengthening of defensive positions with focus in the survivability and protection of PNP personnel. Rehearsal of camp defense shall be done by all units at least during the SOPO period;
3. Route security to ensure safe passage of PNP convoys, peaceful and unhampered social, political, and economic active hires of the people, and the delivery of government services;
4. Normal information collection, documentation, and dissemination effort, and liaising activities with the AFP and local agencies in the area; and
5. Conduct of information drives to all troops on the strategic considerations and advantages of the SOPO.

The guideline also stressed that “pre-emptive measures” must be strictly observed to avoid NPA attacks on vital installations and police stations like the series of atrocities perpetrated by the NPA.

A case on hand is the ambush perpetrated by suspected NPAs against PNP officers in Borlongan City, Eastern Samar on December 13, 2019 at 2:53 p.m. One PNP personnel was killed and five others were wounded in the clash.

So as not to jeopardize the implementation of the presidential directive, however, all police units must exercise caution and restraint in the conduct of movements and activities, which may be viewed as provocative acts against the CPP-NPA.

CONDEMNATION 

Because of what happened, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 condemned the ambush against its troop.

“We’re already hot on their trails but because of the SOPO, we did not do any offensive moves,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said.

While the troops might no longer pursue fleeing rebels in respect of the SOPO, they would be on active defense stance against possible attacks since the CPP will commemorate its 51st founding anniversary on Dec. 26.