Army, PNP remain on alert after NPAs marked its founding anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30): Army, PNP remain on alert after NPAs marked its founding anniversary

Police and military authorities in North Cotabato remained on alert a day after the National Democratic Front and its military arm the communist New Peoples Army (NPA) celerated its 45th foundation anniversary Saturday.

"No untoward incident related to the communist guerillas in North Cotabato," a statement from the 6th Infantry Division based in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao said Sunday.

"Everything appears to be quite," the Army said, adding that government forces remained on alert and will not lower its guard for possible "post-celebration attacks."

The 6th ID covers the provinces of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, two provinces known to have communist-infiltrated villages. Maguindanao, the bailiwick of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is also under the operational control of 6ID.

Police and military authorities in these areas have been placed on heightened alert for possible “disturbances” as the rebels marked (their) founding anniversary.

Mobile checkpoints and stationary choking points were set up on major highways and government forces checked all vehicles traveling at night time.

Communist guerrillas normally attack police outposts and military installations at dawn or shortly after midnight.

In North Cotabato, polic provincial director Senior Supt. Danilo Peralta told reporters that its units remained on alert.

“Normally, the communist guerrillas make moves and harass civilian and military installations before, during, and after (their) founding anniversary,” Peralta told reporters in the vernacular.

As of Sunday night, communities known to be the area of operation of the NPAs are Makilala, Magpet, Tulunan, Arakan, Antipas, Matalam, Mlang, Carment, President Roxas, and the borders of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=630817