The Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 has raised the security
alert in parts of the region in connection with the Communist Party of the Philippines
Supt. Rolly Octavio, chief of PRO-12's Regional Public Safety
Battalion, said Wednesday all police units in the region are currently on full
alert as they brace for possible “shows of force” by the New People's Army
(NPA), the CPP's armed wing.
He said such move is based on a directive issued by Region
12 police director, Chief Supt. Manolo Labador.
Octavio said they are not taking any chances as to the
area's security despite the holiday ceasefire declared by the CPP last week.
“Based on previous experiences, they (NPA) initiate violent
incidents during their anniversary,” he said in a radio interview.
The CPP leadership earlier said the ceasefire, which started
today and will continue until Jan. 3, is in “solidarity with the Filipino
people’s traditional celebrations of Christmas and New Year holidays.”
The declaration is also intended to “enable the
revolutionary forces to carry out mass assemblies and public demonstrations” to
mark its 47th anniversary.
Octavio said the ceasefire declaration is a unilateral move
of the CPP-NPA and the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines
“There were no major engagements by our units with the NPA
these past weeks but their criminal activities have continued,” he said.
The official specifically cited the attack staged by NPA
rebels two weeks ago on a construction firm working on a road widening project
in Lake Sebu ,
South Cotabato and the burning last week of a passenger jeepney in the
outskirts of Koronadal
City
Owing to this, he said their intensified security operations
are currently ongoing, especially in identified vulnerable areas in the region.
Also known as Soccsksargen, Region 12 is composed of the
provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North
Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Kidapawan,
Tacurong and Cotabato.
Octavio said the security operations of local police
stations are being supported by personnel under the Provincial Public Safety
and City Public Safety companies.
He said a team under the Regional Special Action Force is
currently on standby for possible augmentation.
“We're on full operations and maximizing all our resources
to avert possible untoward incidents during the holidays,” he added.
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