ILOILO – Citing the recent successive encounters between rebels and government troops in the municipalities of Miag-ao and Igbaras, the Philippine Army advised mountain hiking enthusiasts and tourists to stay away from the two areas for now.
If the mountain trek is really necessary, according to Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion, trekkers must coordinate with barangay officials, Philippine National Police and Philippine Army.
In recent years, the two municipalities’ hinterlands have been attracting tourists, specifically hikers. In Miag-ao, the Kabugsokan Falls in Barangay Dalije and Tinagong Dagat in Barangay Ongyod are fledgling tourist spots.
On the other hand, Mt. Opao and Mt. Napulak in Igbaras are favorite destinations of mountain trekkers.
On Sept. 20 government troops and some 15 rebels clashed in Barangay Ongyod, Miag-ao. This was repeated three days after, on Sept. 23. One rebel died and a soldier was wounded.
On Sept. 25 10 rebels exchanged fire with Army troops in Barangay Igcabugao, Igbaras at around 8 a.m.
“Kung hindi naman importante, hindi na muna mag-hiking,” said Batara. “Kasi hindi natin alam baka bumalik ang mga rebelde.”
This public advisory stays until the Army has ascertained it is safe again to trek the mountains of Miag-ao and Igbaras, stressed Batara.
“Mahirap magbigay ng specific date kung hanggang kailan ang warning,” he said. “Namatayan ang mga rebelde. Baka gustong bumawi.”
Trekkers could be caught in the crossfire between government troops and rebels, said Batara.
This was not the first time the Army issued such advisory. It made one in March this year following four clashes between soldiers and New People’s Army cadres 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.
The Army explained 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.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, following the clashes in Miag-ao and Igbaras, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) put on alert all police stations in the province.
Of particular concern to the IPPO are 16 towns considered rebel-infested. These are the following:
* Guimbal, Miag-ao, Tubungan, Igbaras, and San Joaquin in the 1st District
* Alimodian and Leon in the 2nd District
* Calinog, Maasin, Bingawan, Janiuay, Lambunao, and Badiangan in the 3rd District
* Passi City in the 4th District
* San Rafael and Lemery in the 5th District
“All police units have been instructed to fully guard their stations. Policemen were also ordered to carry long and short firearms and be ready to engage the rebels if attacked,” said Police Captain Antonio Monreal, IPPO spokesperson.
Police Colonel Roland Vilela, IPPO director, also directed police stations to strengthen their barangay intelligence network. The goal is to monitor the rebels’ movement and preempt attacks./PN
