CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are now implementing heightened operations in response to the recent offensives of the NPA in other provinces in the Visayas.
Lieutenant Col. Christopher Tampus, spokesperson of the AFP Central Command, said the rebels are no longer targeting law enforcement authorities, but are now focusing in destroying the people’s livelihood instead. “Ilang pahimungtan ang mga tao nga dili kasukol nila o di ba kaha ang mga panginabuhian sa mga tao,” he said.
Just recently, the NPA destroyed the Lapinig Municipal Hall in Northern Samar, ransacked the house of the Mayor Romualdo Menzon and killed one of his bodyguards in the ensuing encounter.
In Negros Occidental, a one-hectare sugarcane plantation was burned by the rebels leaving the owner damages estimated at P1.2 million.
Tampus said the offensive attacks of the NPA were expected because last year information reached his office that the rebels would push these this year. “We are expecting more incidents but I can assure the people that our troops are ready,” he said. - THE FREEMAN