Army, PNP to stay in MPadilla

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 25, 2019): Army, PNP to stay in MPadilla

The request of the newly-elected officials of Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental for the retention of additional military and police who were deployed in the town during the recent elections, has been granted.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that he and PBrig. Gen. John Bulalacao, regional police director of Western Visayas, have agreed to retain their troops in the area, after the Comelec control over the town ends on June 12.

Arevalo and Bulalacao, who met yesterday during the meeting of the Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center for a post-election assessment at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City, said that they have yet to determine the size and number of troops to be retained after the new administration of Moises Padilla assumes office on July 1.

Moises Padilla mayor-elect Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, who had survived but lost two family members, incumbent Moises Padilla Councilor Michael Garcia and her brother, Mark Garcia, in an ambush on April 25 in the town, and her running mate vice mayor-elect Ian Villaflor, earlier requested the retention of government troops in the area, even until July 1, for security reasons.

Stressing the need to retain government forces in Moises Padilla even after the election period, Arevalo said they will assess how many troops they can assign in the town in order not to waste the security investments they have made.

More than 300 additional military and police personnel, backed up by two armored personnel carriers, are now securing Moises Padilla town, on top of more than 200 police mobile group troopers and local police, after it was placed under Comelec control because of poll-related violence.

Two incumbent councilors and a former town Liga ng mga Barangay head were murdered during the election period in Moises Padilla.

Arevalo said they have to assess further the activities of the New People’s Army behind the murder of incumbent Councilor Jolomar Hilario and several others, and other lawless armed groups in the area.

He also noted that NPA rebels have kept a low profile in Moises Padilla after the town was placed under Comelec control. They might have been observing the situation on the ground, or may have moved to another place, Arevalo said.

Yulo and Villaflor said the presence of the augmentation forces have helped return peace and order in Moises Padilla.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/May/25/topstory4.htm