ILOILO – The Philippine Army urged tourists to stay away from the hinterlands of the municipalities of Miag-ao, Igbaras and San Joaquin in southern Iloilo.
Government troops launched hot pursuit operations against New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in those areas of the adjacent towns, said Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr., commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).
The municipalities’ hinterlands have been attracting tourists, specifically hikers, in recent years. In Miag-ao, the Kabugsokan Falls in Barangay Dalije and Tinagong Dagat in Barangay Ongyod are considered fledgling tourist spots.
On the other hand, Mt. Opao and Mt. Napulak in Igbaras are favorite destinations of mountain trekkers.
Magbalot said tourists could be caught in the crossfire between government troops and rebels.
Rebels that clashed with the 61IB troops four times last week in Miag-ao, Igbaras and San Remigio, Antique were believed to have retreated in the hinterlands of the three municipalities.
“I am advising tourists who have plan na umakyat na huwag muna,” said Magbalot.
The four recent clashes between Army soldiers and rebels were in Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao on March 24; Sitio Igburay, Barangay Indaluyon, Igbaras on March 20; Barangay Osorio 1, San Remigio, Antique on March 19; and Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras on March 17.
Magbalot said there could be more clashes in the days leading to the NPA’s founding anniversary on March 29.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. It was founded on March 29, 1969.
Rebels usually mark their anniversary by staging offensives against government troops.
“Our hot pursuit operations in the hinterlands of Miag-ao, Igbaras and San Joaquin are part of our preventing measures against NPA offensives,” said Magbalot.
Magbalot, however, clarified that the 61IB was merely making an appeal to tourists. It is the local government units concerned that could regulate the tourists, he stressed.
Mayor Macario Napulan of Miag-ao welcomed the Army’s advisory. He said the municipal government would heed it.
The mayor, however, stressed that Miag-ao remained a peaceful town and the Army’s hot pursuit operation was far from populated areas./PN
