ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) deployed Special Action Forces (SAF) personnel to 15 towns assessed to have a higher risk of being attacked by rebels.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also posted more soldiers in these towns.
IPPO director Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas named the towns: Alimodian, Balasan, Bingawan, Calinog, Guimbal, Janiuay, Igbaras, Lambunao, Lemery, Leon, Maasin, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, San Rafael, and Tubungan.
The component city of Passi also got SAF forces and additional soldiers, said Lucas.
The IPPO is not leaving anything to chance, he stressed, even if President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a unilateral ceasefire (March 1 to April 15, 2020) with the rebels in line with to the current state of emergency due to the coronavirus disease 2019.
The New People’s Army (NPA), armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, will be marking its 51st founding anniversary on March 29.
The rebels usually mark their anniversary by carrying out offensives against government forces and installations.
“We don’t know if the rebels will respect the unilateral ceasefire declared by our President (so) it is better to be on alert,” said Lucas.
The NPA was founded on March 29, 1969.
“We are ready to engage,” said Lucas.
President Duterte called for a ceasefire with rebels while the country is still trying to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
“‘Wag ninyo munang galawin ang mga sundalo. Ceasefire muna tayo. Ako na ang nanghihingi,” Duterte said. “Kindly cooperate and help… I will repay you with a good heart in the coming days.”/PN
