THE 3RD Infantry Battalion said they still receive reports on alleged activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) in some of places in Bagiuo, Paquibato, Toril and Calinan, all in third district.
Speaking on Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press conference held at conference room of Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Lt. Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, commander of 3rd IB, said businesses still report of extortion activities by communist rebels.
“They are claiming that they receive extortion letters,” he said. “We verified and confirmed that these are really happening.”
However, he said they could not launch an offensive because they don’t want to hamper the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF.
“So we are closely coordinating with the companies in Davco, Dole … while we are not having a combat operation, we still have other measures to preempt those activities and protect the community.”
Lachica said troops in their areas of responsibility are intensifying the foot patrol as well as intelligence gathering. In the same vein, the communities have become very active partners in reporting activities of the NPA.
Meanwhile, he said they are now focused on their peace and development outreach program especially with the indigenous communities.
” We have also conducted lectures on security awareness and we are also prepared to conduct civil disturbance and search and rescue,” he said.
They also support law enforcement operations of the local police in the campaign against illegal drugs and other crimes.
Since the 3RD IB is now under operational control of the Joint Task Force Haribon, they also cover the outskirts areas of Davao City including the Island Garden City of Samal and a portion in Bukidnon.
But he said they are trying to hand over the Kitaotao, Bukidnon to the adjacent military division in 4th ID.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.