SAN JOSE, Antique – Police forces in this province will not let their guard for any possible harassment that might be carried out by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, New People’s Army (NPA) to disrupt the Christmas celebration.
Rebels traditionally launch attacks on government targets to celebrate the founding of CPP on Dec. 26, said Lieutenant Colonel Norby Escobar, deputy director for operations of the Antique Provincial Police Office.
“We are right now in full alert status
in anticipation of harassment of these communist guerillas,” he added.
According to Escobar, police personnel nationwide were placed under full alert
status starting Dec. 15 from Jan. 5. to secure the holiday season.
“This is also in preparation for any possible disruption by communist terrorists of the peace and order situation in their areas of responsibility,” he said.
Last week, authorities here arrested Helen Maquirang Agustin, also known as “Helen Doe” or “Ka Marilou,” a former assistant medical officer of the Northern Front Committee of the NPA in Barangay Poblacion, Sebaste.
“Agustin was arrested by virtue of two warrants of arrest for the crimes committed while she was still an active member of the NPA,” Escobar said.
The warrants of arrest are for the double murder with criminal case number 2083-S issued by Judge George Valente dated April 17, 1990 of the 5th Municipal Circuit Trial Court and a crime of murder with criminal case number C-099 issued by Judge Niovady Marin dated Sept. 29, 1993 of the Regional Trial Court 6th Judicial Region Branch 14 of Culasi, Antique.
Escobar said that Agustin is the wife of Ramy Agustin, also known as “Ka Bal” or “Romeo Agustin”, the chief medical officer of their organization.
Agustin is now detained at the Culasi Bureau of Jail Management and Penology with no recommendation for bail.
The arrest of Agustin also came after
the NPA burned three heavy equipment used in a P2-million road construction in
Barangay Luyang, Sibalom, Antique last Nov. 15 for failure of the contractor to
give in to their extortion activities./PN
