Nolcom raises alert as NPA turns 34

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac — The Armed Forces’ Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has placed its field units on alert against possible rebel attacks in the run-up to the 34th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA) on March 29.

Citing "intelligence reports," Maj. Gen. Romeo Dominguez, Nolcom commander, said NPA guerrillas in Central and Northern Luzon are aiming to inflict "maximum damage" on the police and the military.

He said police and military "assets" have reported that the rebels would likely disguise themselves as policemen and soldiers when raiding remote government positions.

Aside from this, Dominguez said the communist rebels would also likely "sabotage" public facilities and other vital installations.

"Their aim is to make a show-of-force on or before the NPA anniversary to prove that they remain a strong force to reckon with, notwithstanding all the debacles they have suffered," said Dominguez.

"We know the mindset of these terrorists, that is why, this early, our troops are on alert for any eventuality," he said.

The NPA was founded on March 29, 1969 in Barangay Sta. Rita in Capas, Tarlac as the armed guerrilla force of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The initial fighters of the NPA came from the ranks of the defunct Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB), the armed wing of the old Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP), who were led by former rebel leader Bernabe "Kumander Dante" Buscayno, a native of Tarlac.