Help in fight vs NPA, Abra execs told

Army and police officials in Abra have asked local executives to play a key role in the war against communist insurgents in the province.

“We badly need the help of the (local government units) in the war against NPA rebels in the aspect of intelligence, target hardening and coordination,” Col. Pompeo Limbo, commander of the Army’s 503rd Infantry Brigade based in Langanilang town, said in a meeting presided over by Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin last Saturday.

Bersamin said the Army and police are doing their utmost to rid Abra, the country’s third poorest province, of insurgents.

“We cannot build roads and other government projects because the rebels kept harassing our workers,” he said.

Also in the meeting held at the provincial capitol in Bangued town were the mayors of seven upland towns, Cordillera police director Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin, Abra police director Senior Superintendent Alex Pumecha, and Senior Superintendent Noel Manabat, head of Task Force Abra.