PNP stations near Capiz, Antique in full alert

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Iloilo provincial police stations situated near the boundaries of the provinces of Antique and Capiz were placed on full alert status effective Sunday.

Senior Supt. Gil Lebin, provincial police director, said they declared full alert following the encounter between the New People's Army and the Philippine Army soldiers Sunday morning at Brgy. Switch, Tapaz, Capiz.

Among the affected towns are Bingawan, Calinog, and Passi City, the areas bordering Iloilo Capiz province, and in Igbaras, Tubungan and Leon towns near Antique.

Lebin said policemen assigned in remote towns should be wary against enemy attacks.

"We should not be complacent. We might be their next targets," he said, adding that police station chiefs have the prerogative to decide how to use their existing force.

Lebin could not tell until when the full alert status remains in effect, but he expected his subordinate commanders to assess the threats in their area of responsibility in the coming days.

"After the threats subside, we might downgrade the alert level status," he said.

It can be noted that the Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Battalion based in Calinog, Iloilo, also intensified its internal security operations (ISO) in towns bordering the provinces of Capiz and Iloilo after last Sunday's encounter that killed a soldier and injured four others.

Prior to last Sunday's armed clash, an encounter also took place last August 23, also in Tapaz town.

Lieutenant Col. Christopher Sab-it, 61st IB commander, said the NPA has been trying to divert the focus from the military's intensified peace and security operations in central Panay.