Public warning out as Reds mark anniv today
Vital government installations, police and Army posts are under extra security today as the communist-terrorist New People's Army (NPA) marks its 38th anniversary.
With expected offensives from the rebels and destabilization from legal fronts, members of the intelligence community alongside the entire hierarchy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are under orders to effect a tighter watch and be on heightened alert.
As such, 24-hour security personnel was advised on likely targets including private infrastructures, telecommunication systems and offices.
The NPAs, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has since refused to lay down their arms and continued to lodge an armed battle with the government.
In Iloilo, most recent government operation was Monday's encounter of government troopers under the Charlie Company of the 47th IB of the 3rd Infantry Division against some 25 armed NPA rebels in Barangay Sagcop, Lambunao.
One army soldier, Private First Class (PFC) Norly Camilon was gunned down by a rebel sniper moments after he tried to singlehandedly run after a fleeing NPA.
Feared and rejected in Iloilo towns, hinterland barangays of the province have since been the favorite areas of the said communist-terrorist rebel group with claims of strengthened influences and strongholds here.
Army presence has bolstered community resistance with increased vigilance against NPA presence here.
Past celebrations of the NPA anniversary was usually marked by major offensives in an apparent display of purported force.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army's Third Civil Military Operations Unit under Capt. Cromwell Danganan yesterday furnished The News Today with a press release enumerating the alleged atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA against the people in its 38 years of existence.
"Though they are desperately trying to project to be the protector of the people and allegedly fighting for the freedom of the oppressed, past and present events are telling us of their anti-people and anti-development acts such as liquidation, extortion, exploitation of women and minors, extra-judicial killing, burning of cell sites and other terrorist acts that greatly affect the peace and development of the country," part of the Army's press statement reads.