NPD on heightened alert for New People’s Army’s 34th anniversary

The Northern Police District (NPD) is on heightened alert in preparation for possible violent actions by the New People’s Army (NPA) in commemoration of its 34th founding anniversary on Dec. 26.

NPD director Senior Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr., ordered the cancellation of the holiday vacations of his cops and fielded more uniformed and plainclothes policemen in vital installations within the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area. Franco said that it’s been the practice of the communist guerrillas to mark their anniversary by launching violent actions targeting especially government installations.

The NPD has also intensified its intelligence gathering on any activity of the communist group in the northern part of Metro Manila by tapping the help of barangay leaders and the residents.

Police visibility patrol was also doubled and off-duty policemen, particularly those traveling by passenger buses and jeeps, were advised not to wear their uniforms to avoid detection by the rebels’ urban hit squad.

In another development, police also stepped up its information gathering on the reported presence in Metro Manila of at least 100 trained terrorist group from Mindanao out to saw terror in the metropolis. The group is reportedly under the command of a certain Rogelio Adamat in collaboration with an alleged Abu Sayyaf explosive expert identified as Ismael Abdul.

Abdul, a native of Sitangcay, Sulu, is reportedly the one providing logistical support to the group tasked to carry out their violent acts during the Christmas holidays.

It must be recalled that the terrorist group launched in Metro Manila a series of bombings on Dec. 30, 2000 wherein at least 12 people were killed and some 70 others were injured.