BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO – Fourteen of the 85 barangays in the municipality of Leon are still infested with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, the town’s police station reports.
These barangays are Bobon, Bucari, Cagay, Camandag, Cananaman, Cara-an, Cawilihan, Danao, Igcadios, Malublub, Marirong, Manampunay, Paga, and Tagsing.
There’s also a slight presence of NPA rebels in other barangays, including Ayabang, Banagan, Gines, Ticuan, and Tunguan, said Police Lieutenant Danilo Noca, the officer-in-charge at the Leon municipal police station.
Most of the villages are located in the mountainous areas of the town, he added.
Both the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police are continuously conducting clearing operations against NPA rebels in these barangays, said Noca.
Additionally, a Retooled Community Support Program is underway in these areas to foster awareness and vigilance among the residents, he added.
Since Noca took office, a total of six encounters with the rebels have been recorded in the municipality. (With a report from Bombo Radyo Iloilo)/PN
