Treñas treats with seriousness NPA hit squad yarn
City Mayor Jerry Treñas treats as a serious matter the intelligence information reaching his office about the alleged presence of New People's Army (NPA) hitmen in the city.
Treñas said that the information should not be taken for granted though the Philippine National Police has yet to confirm it.
The police should not lay their guards down to ensure the protection of the people, said Treñas.
The chief executive believed that it is better to prepare for whatever untoward incident rather than to be caught flat footed.
The information started with text messages on the alleged presence of the NPA urban terrorists in the city who plan to sow terror in retaliation for the arrest of National Democratic Front Chairman and CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison in The Netherlands.
Police are still validating the authenticity of the information. Even the number of the alleged armed men stated in separate text messages differ. There are text messages saying there are 17 urban terrorists while an exaggerated text had 170 armed men.
Treñas said he has ordered the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) to conduct mobile checkpoints and intensify their information gathering. He stressed the city will not compromise the safety of the Ilonggos over the said reports.
Treñas assured the public that the police are on top of the situation. "There's no need to panic. I still even go malling and watch motives with my family without security on weekends," said Treñas.
The mayor added that reports on the alleged presence of NPA members in the city is not new. Similar information were fed to them previously only that they were not made public, said Treñas.