NegOcc cops on ‘high alert’ for NPA anniv

From Palawan News (Mar 24, 2022): NegOcc cops on ‘high alert’ for NPA anniv (By DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA)

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has placed all of its units on “high alert” ahead of the 53rd anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA) on March 29, 2022.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

NOCPPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, said all police units were reminded not to be complacent but to be on guard for possible rebel attacks.

The NPA is known to wage offensives against government troops to mark its anniversary.

Policemen were also advised not to post their whereabouts on social media to avoid being targeted by the rebels.

The NPA was founded on March 29, 1969 and had been engaged in a brutal conflict with the Philippine government for 53 years now.

Friday last week, March 18, a leader of the NPA in Negros Island and his two comrades were arrested during a joint military and police operation in Barangay Su-ay, Himamaylan City in southern Negros Occidental.

The Philippine Army identified the suspect as Ramon “Using” Patriarca, deputy secretary and finance officer of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros. He is facing 10 counts of murder before the Regional Trial Court, Branch 47 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, with a warrant of arrest issued by Presiding Judge Suseco Arcam.

The two others were Carmen “Loisa / Avon” Jonahville Matarlo, of the Regional Communication of Central Negros Front 2; and John Michael Baldonado Tecson, also known as Calvin / Clent / Harold / Getic, of the Regional Communication of Central Negros Front 1.

Matarlo is from Poblacion, Argao in Cebu province while Tecson hails from Barangay Bulado, Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.

In a statement on Saturday, Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said the neutralization of Patriarca and his two comrades was another huge blow to the CPP-NPA.

“They may have been very quick to release propaganda denying their losses and setbacks, but with this development, they can no longer deny the weakening of their forces in Negros Island,” he said.

Personnel of the Himamaylan City police station served the arrest warrant to Patriarca during a law enforcement operation supported by troops of 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) in Sitio Tondo.

His two companions were brought along and are now under police custody.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.panaynews.net/negocc-cops-on-high-alert-for-npa-anniv/