3 NPA clashes in a week; Iloilo police on alert

From Panay News (Sep 27, 2019): 3 NPA clashes in a week; Iloilo police on alert

ILOILO – Following three successive clashes between Philippine Army troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Miag-ao and Igbaras towns in less than a week, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) put on alert all police stations.

Of particular concern to the IPPO are 16 towns considered rebel-infested. These are the following:

* Guimbal, Miag-ao, Tubungan, Igbaras, and San Joaquin in the 1st District

* Alimodian and Leon in the 2nd District

* Calinog, Maasin, Bingawan, Janiuay, Lambunao, and Badiangan in the 3rd District

* Passi City in the 4th District

* San Rafael and Lemery in the 5th District
Government troops and rebels clashed in Miag-ao on Sept. 20 and Sept. 23, and in Igbaras on Sept. 25.

“All police units have been instructed to fully guard their stations. Policemen were also ordered to carry long and short firearms and be ready to engage the rebels if attacked,” said Police Captain Antonio Monreal, IPPO spokesperson.

Police Colonel Roland Vilela, IPPO director, also directed police stations to strengthen their barangay intelligence network. The goal is to monitor the rebels’ movement and preempt attacks.

On Sept. 25 10 rebels exchanged fire with the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) troops in Barangay Igcabugao, Igbaras at around 8 a.m. There were no casualties or injuries.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61IB, the repelled rebels would have attacked Century Peak Energy Corp.’s hydropower plant in the area.

On Sept. 23, 15 armed men clashed with soldiers in Barangay Ongyod, Miag-ao at around 8 a.m.

One rebel died (Vincent Yuvero, 20, of Barangay To-og, Miag-ao) and one soldier was wounded (Sergeant Janny Labrador).

An hour before the encounter, rebels fired shots at the detachment of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit in Sitio Sambag, Barangay Dagami, Maasin town. There were no casualties or injuries.

“The Maasin harassment was a diversionary tactics of the rebels. They did not know we have more soldiers in Miag-ao ready to engage them,” said Captain Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

The rebels belonged to the Suyak Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay led by Joven Ceralvo alias Lex, said Pancito.

“This group is hampering not only development projects in the area but also the people’s peaceful lives,” said Batara.

On Sept. 20 government troops and some 15 rebels clashed in the same village.

https://www.panaynews.net/3-npa-clashes-in-a-week-iloilo-police-on-alert/