CV cops intensify security vs rebels

CEBU, Philippines - The police Regional Intelligence Division chief ordered police stations in Central Visayas, especially in Negros Oriental, to be on guard against the New People’s Army following the attack on a police station in Mati City, Davao Oriental Sunday evening.

Senior Superintendent Paul Labra, RID Chief, said the incident in Mati City should be a reminder to all lower units to be always on guard for possible attacks.

“Ato gyud silang gisugo nga double sa ilang pagbantay this time basin unya ang maong insidente mahitabo sa ato,” Labra said, stressing that the Mati City attack is a signal that NPAs can still muster forces in Mindanao.

He specifically called the attention of the police stations in Negros Oriental where NPA rebels are mostly sighted.

However, he said that although there were reported sightings of the NPA rebels, they do not pose a huge threat to the security in Central Visayas.

“Atong gipahinum-duman  atong lower units nga magmabinantayon ug ang ilang mga estasyonan nga nahimutang sa remote areas sa mga countryside nga i-double ang ilang pagbantay, i-strengthen ang ilang target hardening measures,” he said.

He said that in Central Visayas, although the NPA rebels are relatively weak and cannot wreak havoc in the region, it is still not a guarantee for the police to be complacent.

Negros Oriental was earlier declared by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be development-ready area, which is one step closer to being insurgency-free.

Meanwhile, Labra said  they have received a directive from the national headquarters to monitor the presence of terrorists in Cebu.

But the RID chief clarified that the Police Regional Office-7 was just one of the many recipients of the directive and that all regions have been notified to intensify their security.

He disclosed that they previously received reports of presence of terrorists in Cebu but these were never confirmed.

He said though that there is tight security in Cebu, as well as in other parts of Central Visayas.

Labra said the support of the community plays a big role in the maintenance of peace and order in the region.

“This is not only the work of the police to monitor their presence but is everybody’s responsibility para dili g’yud ta masudlan og mga terrorista,” Labra added.  (FREEMAN)