AFP: Rebs in Cebu for SONA protests

CEBU — The Armed Forces Central Command confirmed the arrival here of suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from Negros to join rallyists and make trouble as President Arroyo delivers her State of the Nation Address today.

Lt. Col. Jefferson Omandam, Central Command spokesman, said their intelligence operatives confirmed the arrival of three groups in three Cebu towns.

The first sighting was of 10 men arriving in a big pumpboat in Sitio Aroma, Barangay Dumlog, Toledo City last July 5. They were seen carrying big bags suspected to contain high-powered firearms and ammunition.

The second sighting was last July 16 in Barangay Buanoy, Balamban town. The group — 15 men and five women — arrived in a pumpboat and also had big bags believed to contain guns and ammunition.

The third sighting was in Barili town last week.

Omandam appealed to rally organizers to guard their group against possible infiltration by rebels.

A battalion from the Regional Mobile Group-7 has been on standby in case the protest actions during the SONA turn violent.

Forces from the Central Command and other police units will also be deployed and will be ordered to exercise maximum tolerance. — Freeman News Service