Eleazar: Security forces doubling effort to prevent local terror groups

 From the Manila Times (Aug 13, 2021): Eleazar: Security forces doubling effort to prevent local terror groups (By Christian Crow Maghanoy)

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar on Friday said security forces were doubling their efforts to prevent attacks by local terror groups.

Eleazar was reacting to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea's remarks that local terror groups were only worsening the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic through their extortion activities, attacks against humanitarian missions, and even killings.

"We have been intensifying our presence in communities to deter these hostile groups from causing trouble. However, there are times that these groups are able to slip through, such as Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels who are harassing humanitarian missions for those affected by pandemics and other disasters," Eleazar said in a statement in English and Filipino

"Despite this, the PNP continues to suppress them to prevent such incidents. The PNP is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) partner in monitoring communities, especially those areas often attacked by communist rebels," he added.

Eleazar stressed that all concerned police units remain alert for attacks despite the Covid-19 pandemic and assured the police are always coordinating with the military to maintain peace and order in communities.

Security forces are maintaining good relations with the local government units, residents and other stakeholders because the goal to eradicate these terror groups will only succeed through a whole-of-nation approach, Eleazar said.

Meanwhile, the AFP has condemned the brutal murder of an Army trooper by the communist terrorists in Tapaz, Capiz, a day before the celebration of International Humanitarian Law Day.

Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, AFP chief of staff, said Cpl. Frederic Villasis of the Philippine Army's 12th Infantry Battalion was killed in broad daylight on Wednesday by armed men believed to be NPA rebels.

"The cold-blooded murder of Corporal Frederic Villasis who was deployed for Community Support Program in the area is a clear manifestation of the NPA's anti-people and anti-development ways that are worthy of the Filipino's condemnation," said Faustino in a statement on Thursday evening.

Faustino said the AFP extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of Corporal Villasis who left behind a wife and two young children.

He said the AFP would exhaust all available resources to achieve justice for Villasis and put an end to the decades-old problem of armed conflict so that the nation may enjoy genuine peace and development.

Faustino said Villasis was deployed to conduct community support to bring peace and development in Sitio Owa, Barangay Lahug - a GIDA or geographically isolated and disadvantaged area.

"He was supposed to follow-up on the people's request for a water system which is part of the ongoing Community Support Program (CSP) being undertaken by the AFP," Faustino said.

"The CSP is the AFP's peaceful approach in solving insurgency by addressing its root causes through livelihood, education and the delivery of government services," he said.

Faustino said the incident is yet another addition to the communist terrorist group's more than 1, 600 violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law over the past decade.

He claimed that the NPA has resorted to atrocities, disregarding the people's welfare and hampering development in communities, as a result of its waning mass support.

"The AFP will continue to support the government in bringing peace and development in our country, especially in GIDAs, while also conducting focused military operations to finally put an end to the armed conflict," Faustino said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/13/latest-stories/eleazar-security-forces-doubling-effort-to-prevent-local-terror-groups/1810859