Eleazar orders massive PNP alert vs NPA attacks
PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar yesterday ordered all police forces nationwide to be on full alert for possible attacks by the New People’s Army nown for preying on all “targets of opportunity” and even using banned improvised explosive devices.
The top cop issued the directive amid the series of atrocities perpetrated by the armed communist group in Bicol and in Quezon that included civilians as casualties.
Eleazar said that three separate attacks in Masbate City, Legazpi City and Buenavista town in Quezon were clear indications that an order was issued to the NPA to step up their attacks to project strength amid the series of mass surrender of communist rebels and their supporters.
“I have already ordered all police units and our personnel to be alert on possible NPA attacks in their respective AORs (Areas of Responsibility). I also expect police commanders to intensify the monitoring and intelligence-gathering against this communist armed group,” the PNP chief said.
“Matinding dagok ang inabot ng CPP-NPA-NDF sa sunod-sunod na pagsuko ng kanilang mga kasamahan kaya inaasahan natin na palalakasin nila ang kanilang pag-atake para magkunwaring malakas pa rin sila,” he added.
In Masbate City, a college football player and his uncle died in a roadside bombing and subsequent gun attack of the NPA.
In Legazpi City, four civilians, including a lawyer, were injured when communist NPA rebels ambushed a group of policemen who responded on the burning of a telecom cellsite.
In Buenavista, Quezon, a militiaman was killed while another one was injured when communist rebels ambushed a group of government forces who were on their way back from a gift-giving activity.
“Itong mga nangyaring ito ay indikasyon ng isang utos mula sa mataas na opisyal ng CPP-NPA-NDF na palakasin ang kanilang pag-atake. Kaya dapat lang na maging handa tayo at always on a defensive mode to prevent any of their plan,” said the PNP chief.
Eleazar said that part of his instruction is to ensure that the police station defense plan is activated, especially in areas where the CPP-NPA-NDF are known to operate.
He added that chiefs of police should also coordinate with the local military forces in their areas for augmentation of personnel in case of any eventuality.
