3 Isabela brgys hotspots: Malabor

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 27): 3 Isabela brgys hotspots: Malabor

Three barangays in Isabela town, Negros Occidental, are considered “hotspots” and three more barangays have on-and-off presence of New People’s Army rebels, Isabela Mayor Joselito Malabor, said Saturday.

The barangays considered as “hotspots” are San Agustin, Cabcab, and Riverside, while those with influences or on-and-off presence of armed rebels are Libas, Cano Clark, and Amin, Malabor said.

He said he met with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza in Iloilo recently and they talked about the security, NPA activities, and peace and order situation in Isabela.

Malabor said he is taking the initiative for localized peace talks as instructed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Friday, seven barangay captains of Isabela met with Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, and aired their respective security concerns in connection with the recent killings of barangay officials of the town, that were claimed by the NPA.

Four of the 30 incumbent barangay captains of Isabela reportedly received threats.

Malabor said he will also meet with these barangay captains who reportedly got threats from the rebels and will encourage them to have a threat assessment with the authorities to provide them security if needed.

Castil said he will deploy more police personnel in Isabela, in coordination with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 and the Philippine Army.

The Municipal Peace and Order Council recently passed a resolution to create an anti-criminality task force, as they are also closely coordinating with authorities to enforce peace and order in Isabela, and to ask for augmentation.

MPOC will again convene on the recent happenings in the peace and order of Isabela this week.

Aside from the existing 12th Infantry Battalion, the 94th IB is also deployed in Isabela to provide security, Malabor said.

Meanwhile, Barangay Libas first kagawad Brenda Fernandez, sister of slain barangay captain Rhoy Pagapang, assumed the vacated post of the latter, as part of the succession by operation of the law, Malabor said.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/August/27/topstory2.htm