Wednesday, November 12, 2008 8 towns on red alert for possible rebel attacks By George M. De La Cruz and Jerson O. Coronica
THE Philippine Army has placed Negros Occidental on heightened alert following reported sightings of armed rebel groups in some municipalities in the province.
Negros Occidental Police Director Rosendo Franco said the municipalities considered as rebel hot spots include Calatrava, Toboso, Escalante, La Castellana, Isabela, Don Salvador Benedicto, Moises Padilla and Hinigaran.
"We have alerted police forces as well as the military to maximize efforts to strongly run after the rebels, especially the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA)," he said.
Following series of insurgency-related incidents in the southern part of the province, Franco said the police and military also placed the northern towns on heightened alert.
"We already ordered our men to heighten security and to advance measures so that the civilians, especially those families living in areas under threat of aggressions, are protected," Franco added.
He also advised the people to be vigilant and to immediately report to the police or military any "unusual activities and unfamiliar or suspicious faces" as these might be members of the NPA.
Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Santiago Rapiz said in a phone interview that they have been on high alert since the shooting to death of Barangay Paitan Captain Ildefonso Senora of Escalante City last Wednesday by gunmen believed to be members of the NPA.
"Their (NPAs) threat to attack the city BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) cannot be set aside. After all, we know that they are capable of launching an attack anytime so we are making sure that our police, with the help of the military forces, are always on alert and ready to respond to any call of duty," he added.
In Calatrava, Councilor Engracio Dayanan Jr. said there were reported presence of armed men believed members of NPA, particularly in the villages of Winaswasan and Agpangi.
Local police said they would strictly impose 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. curfews in the town for security reasons. Police and army checkpoints were also set up in several portions of the national highway connecting the town of Toboso and Escalante City.
