PNP on full alert as NPA marks anniversary

The 117,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP) goes on full alert today as it braces for attacks by the communist New People's Army (NPA) which is marking its 31st anniversary.

Director Reynaldo Wycoco, acting PNP chief, said all 16 regional police commands have been ordered to beef up their security plans amid intelligence information about possible terrorist attacks.

"They (the guerrillas) have tried over the years to conduct terrorist attacks," Wycoco said, adding that the PNP is closely watching rebel movements in Rizal, Quezon and Laguna, the NPA's favorite staging areas for assaults.

Wycoco said security measures have been bolstered particularly in isolated police stations which communist rebels usually target.

Meanwhile, Wycoco lashed at the NPA for using children as human shields and hostages during encounters. He cited an incident in Rodriguez, Rizal last Saturday where fleeing rebels took children hostage.

"Even as five of the dissidents were captured, the rest of their companions eluded our troops by using some children as human shields and hostages to make good their escape," he said.

"No amount of ideological argument can ever justify such danger to the lives of children," he added.

Meanwhile, a female NPA member was killed in an encounter with elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion in a hinterland village in Gandara, Samar last week, belated reports said.

At least five other rebels were killed in recent encounters in the region.