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Thursday, December 29, 2005
Army, police to retain holiday alert
By Lino Dela Cruz
Iligan correspondent
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Fourth Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in Northern Mindanao are on heightened alert as the New Year's celebration is fast approaching.
The alert followed the recent attacks by the New People's Army (NPA) on military and police targets even as the government declared a unilateral ceasefire in observance of the holidays.
General Cardozo Luna, commanding general of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division condemned the series of killings and attacks by the NPA on military targets that were on non-combat duties during the Christmas season.
Shortly before Christmas, December 20, NPA rebels attacked and killed 4 soldiers, including Captain Marcelo Quitiquit, in Tagum City who were in the market for their preparations to celebrate Christmas.
On the same day, communist NPA rebels ambushed an army combo who were to provide entertainment to barangay folks in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte wounding at least 11 military personnel including 3 civilians.
In Kabanglasan, Bukidnon, a police officer identified as SPO4 Rogelio Mier was shot and killed by at least 11 communist NPA rebels. Mier's father was wounded during the attack.
Luna said that the series of attacks and ambushes by communist NPA rebels on military targets that were on non-combat duties are clear violation of the ceasefire.
"The military and police are not taking any chances, we are on alert status to quell any NPA attacks," Luna said.
The communist NPA during the recent holidays declared that they are not recognizing the government's unilateral ceasefire as the CPP-NPA celebrated their anniversary.
Earlier the National Democratic Front-North Central Mindanao said their local armed wing NPA liquidation squad Eking Balacuit Command is ready to "punish" those that are adjudged by their revolutionary court as "enemies of the people." (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
(December 29, 2005 issue)
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