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Friday, April 09, 2004
Rebels allowed family visit sans firearms
By Claudine C. Dumalag
BACOLOD -- Good news for communist guerillas based in Negros Occidental. They may go home and spend the Holy Week with their families without fear of getting arrested.
Senior Supt. Vicente Ponteras, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office director, said Wednesday the police and Army's comrades-in-arms have decided to allow communist rebels to visit home without having to acquire a safe conduct pass.
Ponteras warned though: "They (rebels) are not allowed to carry firearms or else we will be forced to arrest them."
He also disclosed that police operatives will not lower their guard and will be on active defense stance to preempt possible attacks by rebels who would want to take advantage of the holidays.
The PNP director also commanded police chiefs in Negros Occidental to reactivate the provincewide Oplan Holy Week or Semana Santa and the Oplan Summer Holiday until the end of May.
He also ordered all police operatives to beef up visibility operations in their respective areas of jurisdiction and monitor the influx of people who are expected to either leave or come to the province to visit their relatives.
Teams of police personnel were also deployed in beaches and resorts and all densely populated areas to ensure everyone's safety.
"The conduct of roving patrols, especially during nighttime, and checkpoints will continue," Ponteras said.
Even the Philippine Coast Guard in Bacolod City intensified their alert level for the Holy Week celebrations.
Sea marshals composed of six members from the Manila Maritime Group, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Police were likewise deployed on board some vessels in the province.
The Maritime Group-Bacolod is also assisting the security personnel of shipping companies by conducting body search of passengers and checking luggage and baggage upon arrival and departure. (Sun.Star Bacolod)
(April 9, 2004 issue)
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