Military in Southern Tagalog, Bicol downgrades alert despite NPA anniv

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 29): Military in Southern Tagalog, Bicol downgrades alert despite NPA anniv

The military has downgraded its security alert in its camps in Southern Luzon this week, even as the New People’s Army (NPA) celebrated its 47th anniversary on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) based in Camp Nakar here, said the alert status for “security and emergency preparedness and response” in all military camps in Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions had been downgraded to “white” on Monday, after the observance of Holy Week.

Guzman said “white alert” status is the lowest awareness level in the military, which “signifies normalcy with no imminent or monitored security threats.”

He said that Tuesday, the NPA’s founding anniversary, was an ordinary day with normal security preparations in place.

However, in view of the NPA anniversary, Guzman reminded all units to “remain vigilant and ensure security measures are undertaken” to prevent and counter possible attacks by communist rebels.

Guzman said field commanders can always raise the alert level to “blue” or “red” if security situations in their areas call for it.

He assured that government forces have been continuously conducting anti-insurgency operations.

“Solcom chief (Lt. General Ricardo Visaya) gave his marching order to go deep into NPA lairs and neutralize them,” Guzman said.

Last week, NPA rebels and government forces engaged in separate clashes in Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte provinces, where three suspected communist guerrillas were killed.

Two weeks ago, at least 11 explosions, allegedly initiated by communist rebels, rocked the island province of Masbate. Two policemen were hurt in the said incidents. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/776836/military-in-southern-tagalog-bicol-downgrades-alert-despite-npa-anniv