Cops, soldiers on full alert as CPP-NPA marks anniversary

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Members of the Northern Mindanao police and the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) will remain on alert until the end of the year as the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army will celebrate the CPP-NPA anniversary on Dec. 26.

Col. Patrick Martinez, spokesman for the 4ID, said that although the CPP-NPA force in the region has significantly declined, authorities are not taking any chances.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, Northern Mindanao police director, said the number of NPA guerrillas decreased following the implementation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC.

Despite the reduced security threat, Maj. Gen. Michele Anayron, chief of the 4ID, ordered his men to continue intensified operations against the communist group.