ILOILO City – Today is the 50th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Rebels usually celebrate this day by assaulting government troops and vital state installations.
“We are ready to engage (the rebels in a firefight),” declared Major General Dinoh Dolina, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz.
Army soldiers are on full alert. They count on the help of communities.
“We are gaining the trust and confidence of communities. The series of recent encounters showed the rebels’ numbers are dwindling,” Dolina said.
For his part, 61st Infantry Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr. said offensive operations against the rebels were continuing.
His men launched hot pursuit operations against the NPA following four recent clashes – in Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao, Iloilo on March 24; Sitio Igburay, Barangay Indaluyon, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 20; Barangay Osorio 1, San Remigio, Antique on March 19; and Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 17.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba instructed all his municipal and city police chiefs to be ready and not leave their stations unmanned.
Policemen were also instructed to carry short and long firearms while on duty.
On June 18, 2017 rebels raided the police station of Maasin, Iloilo. The daring, broad daylight caper was swift. Within 15 minutes beginning around 10:30 a.m., the rebels shanghaied M16 rifles, Glock .9mm pistols, handheld radios and their base, laptops, mobile phones, and jewelry.
The rebels also used the police station’s patrol car to flee./PN
