
ILOILO City – The director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) ordered provincial and city police directors, including municipal police station chiefs, across Western Visayas to intensify internal security operations (against the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Kailangan natin mapanatili ang katahimikan sa region kaya dapat hindi tayo magkampante. I reminded my men to be alert all the time,” said Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco.
Of particular concern are areas with high levels of threat from insurgents and criminals, he added.
“The city and provincial directors need to inspect their areas of assignment to know the readiness of their local police to respond to rebel offensives and crimes,” said Francisco.
Over the weekend, Iloilo Police Provincial Office director, Police Colonel Noel Aliño, inspected some police stations in areas deemed rebel-infested.
“Nag-iikot tayo para malaman ang kalagayan ng mga tao natin. Kahit na alert sila palagi, pero kailangan pa rin nating i-remind sila laban sa mga rebelde,” Aliño said.
Two months ago, in December 2022, the PRO-6 and the Panay Island-based Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) ramped up their security plans as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) celebrated its 54th founding anniversary.
“Dinagdagan natin ang ating deployment at nag-iingat kasi siyempre namatay ang kanilang pinuno na si Jose Maria ‘Joma’ Sison. We are ready for war kung ‘yan ang gusto nila,” said Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3ID.
Francisco, on the other hand, reminded policemen, “Dapat lahat nakahanda and dapat they have to carry long and short firearms.”
He also reminded his men to be wary of the “catch and baits” strategy of the rebels./PN