Deny NPAs chance to attack – PNP Chief

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 9): Deny NPAs chance to attack – PNP Chief

Following the death of three people in Friday’s rebel attack on a town hall in Occidental Mindoro, Director General Alan Purisima ordered all police commanders in the provinces to implement security protocols that would deny communist rebels the opportunity to launch similar offensives.

The attack at the Paluan town on Friday, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, should serve as a constant reminder to all chiefs of police (COPs) that there is no room for complacency in the conduct of security measures in their respective areas, noting that communist rebels have been taking advantage of any lapses by government security forces.

Two policemen and a soldier were killed while four others were injured in a gun battle that erupted between the local police, the Army troopers and the raiding communist rebels.

The fleeing rebels also held hostage the town mayor and the municipal administrator on their way to escape. They were later freed.

It was learned that the town police chief of Paluan town has already been relieved of his post as a result of the attack.

Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said police commanders especially in rebel-infested areas have the obligation to be always alert what with several incidents of rebel attacks in the past.

Police stations have been a favorite target of communist rebels, targeting the armory for all the firearms that they could get.

“The order is to also secure vital installations in their respective areas to prevent similar attacks,” said Mayor.

Part of the security measures that the PNP leadership wants police commanders to strictly observe is beefing up the intelligence-gathering of any possible rebel movements or plans.

http://www.mb.com.ph/deny-npas-chance-to-attack-pnp-chief/