WESCOM ready vs leftist group retaliation in Palawan

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 25): WESCOM ready vs leftist group retaliation in Palawan

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM) is prepared against any retaliation plan of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) following the arrest of husband and wife Benito and Wilma Tiamzon in Cebu City recently.

Speaking to the press in this city, Lt. Cherryl Tindog, spokesperson of the WESCOM, said the military in Palawan “has always been ready” even before the capture of the chairman and secretary general of the Central Committee of the CPP-NPA.

Tindog added the arrest of the Tiamzons “is proof that there is now strong cooperation among the people, the military, and the government to work together to end the armed struggle.”

“This event is something that means not only for the military, but for the people that there is a chance really, for peace,” she said.

She said the arrest of the rebel couple, however, does not mean everyone, particularly the military, should rest easy on their toes.

“History should tell us that they do resort to this (retaliation) tactic. Whenever their organization is hurt by events like this, they re-group, they re-plan and they do everything to retaliate, to discredit the government,” Tindog said.

She added “Palaweños have nothing to be alarmed because the AFP is doing its best to take care of the province against rebel attacks.”

But Tindog also called to the people to be attentive and watchful against people, who are planning to disturb the province’s peace and order situation.

“Instead of being alarmed, we should all be alert because honestly, the rebels are already feeling the effect of the stand of the government that we should all be together for peace. That peace is very important to the people,” she said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=628945