Thursday, December 24, 2015

PNP declares 'SOPO' for holiday season

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24): PNP declares 'SOPO' for holiday season

With the Yuletide Season now in full swing, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ricardo A. Marquez declared a "suspension of offensive police operations" (SOPO) against the New People's Army starting midnight on Wednesday until the midnight of January 1, 2016.

"As part of the yearly tradition, the SOPO is observed and respected by all units and personnel of the PNP that refrain the troops from initiating offensive police operations against the NPA," Marquez added.

However, the PNP chief clarified that SOPO does not cover normal law enforcement operations including the serving of warrants of arrest.

Recognizing the inherent right to self-defense, the PNP chief said all units still remain on-guard and maintain a high state of operational readiness to respond to any hostile actions.

In line with this, the PNP assured extra precautionary and preemptive measures in order to avoid NPA attacks on vital installations and police stations like the incident in Barangay New Eden, Pangantucan, Bukidnon on Dec. 12 where personnel from Pangantucan Municipal Police Station were ambushed while responding.

“So as not to jeopardize the spirit of the Presidential Directive, however, all police units must exercise caution and restraint in the conduct of movements and activities which may be viewed as provocative acts against the NPA,” Marquez added.

The PNP will continue to conduct active defensive measures such as security patrols to protect all PNP camps, stations, vital installations and civilian communities; route security, and strengthening of defensive positions.

Earlier, police units also conducted gun muzzle taping, in line with the PNP's intensified efforts against illegal discharge of firearms this holiday season.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=841114

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