ILOILO – Cops must stay alert, too, and step up their security measures following the recent skirmishes between government troops and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas.
“Don’t be complacent,” said Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, director of Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
Gorero said several areas in the following towns were deemed “high risks” for rebels: Janiuay, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Guimbal, Calinog, Lambunao, Igbaras, Leon, Tubungan, Maasin, Alimodian, San Enrique, San Rafael, and several others in the 5th District.
“The police should know the people around them. I don’t want them to leave their police stations unmanned,” Gorero told Panay News.
Members of the Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company and platoons were also told to be vigilant.
A series of encounters between the Philippine Army and NPA were recently reported in Manapla and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental.
Government troops also encountered rebels in Barangay Siya, Tapaz, Capiz last month.
Gorero advised his men to use long and short firearms while on duty.
Based on the records of the 3rd Infantry Division, remaining active fronts in Panay Island are the central front based in the towns of Calinog, Iloilo and Tapaz, Capiz; and the southern front based in the towns of Miag-ao, Tubungan and San Joaquin, Iloilo, and Hamtic and Sibalom in Antique.
However, these fronts are weakening, according to the Army’s intelligence report./PN