ILOILO – A suspected ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Bingawan town early morning yesterday.
Forty-nine-year-old Efren Banes Vidal, who went by the aliases “Ka Pigoy” and “Ka Paderes”, was served with warrants of arrest for two counts of rebellion and three counts of murder.
Vidal was a suspected leader of the NPA’s Madya-as Platoon (formerly known as Tugalbong Platoon) under the Chiva Waling-Waling Command, Central Front led by Francisco “Ka Tonying” Balois, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, spokesperson of the regional police office.
The arrest of Vidal was jointly carried out by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s (IPPO) Provincial Special Operation Group (PSOG), Bingawan municipal police station, Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), and the Philippine Army’s 301st Brigade.
From Bingawan, Vidal was taken to the IPPO in Camp Sumagaysay, Santa Barbara town by PSOG for “custodial debriefing”, said Malong.
Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, regional police director, cited the IPPO for Vidal’s arrest.
He said he expected more arrest of high-ranking NPA rebels.
The PRO-6 stepped up its security measures against the rebels early this month after receiving information that the NPA was planning to stage “agaw armas” attacks on police stations, particularly those in remote areas.
Pamuspusan ordered police stations to be on full alert status and secure their premises.
Cops should be wary of people entering their stations as these could be rebels checking them out before striking, said Malong, She recalled the NPA raid of the Maasin, Iloilo police station in June 2017.
Two women rebels pretending to be civilians entered the Maasin police station to supposedly have something recorded in the police blotter. Then all of a sudden more rebels barged into the police station through the back door and handcuffed nine stunned police officers on duty.
Malong said police chiefs were directed to set up reception desks outside police stations where those with police blotter concerns would be entertained.
In Iloilo province, Police Colonel Roland Vilela, police director, ordered a 24-7 guarding of police stations and for policemen to strengthen intelligence information gathering and carry long and short firearms.
Vilela also created seven teams to inspect police stations’ readiness.
He identified “high-risk” municipalities. These were: Bingawan, Alimodian, Balasan, Calinog, Guimbal, Janiuay, Igbaras, Lambunao, Lemery, Leon, Maasin, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, San Rafael, and Tubungan.
The component city of Passi was also considered high-risk for rebel attacks.
On June 18, 2017 around 60 rebels overran the Maasin police station. The daring, broad daylight incursion was swift. Within 15 minutes beginning around 10:30 a.m., the rebels shanghaied eight M16 rifles, four Glock .9mm pistols, five handheld radios and their base, two laptops, P29,000 cash, and jewelry.
The rebels did not harm the nine police officers but handcuffed them. They also used the police station’s patrol car to flee.
“I don’t want that to happen again,” said Vilela./PN
