CEBU remains “peaceful” despite the arrest of three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Badian town, but threats of insurgency should still be taken seriously.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia made this pronouncement Friday, Aug. 2, 2019 as she commended the police for the arrest of the three armed men from Ayungon town in nearby Negros Oriental.

That, as the men--Danny Tancinco, Ronnie Herebias and Marlon Basalo--were charged before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Barili.

Escorted by members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) group, they were not able to present their lawyer during the inquest proceeding at the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office Friday morning, Aug. 2, 2019.

They were charged with violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and RA 9516 or the Unlawful Manufacture, Sale, Acquisition, Disposition, Importation or Possession of an Explosive or Incendiary Device.

Martial law?

Their arrest and the spate of killings in Negros Oriental have stirred talks of President Rodrigo Duterte imposing martial law in Cebu’s western neighbor.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 chief investigator Leo Villarino said imposing martial law would mean that the local police have become ineffective in maintaining peace and order in Negros Oriental.

“We are against the imposition of Martial Law because we have yet to be shown that the police have already become ineffective in their operation in Negros. We don’t want to believe that is happening,” Villarino said.

A CHR team has been sent to Negros Oriental to look into the killings of civilians and law enforcers alike.

Despite its proximity to Negros and the three suspected NPA members, Cebu remains peaceful but on alert for insurgents, Governor Garcia said.

‘No NPA presence’

Cebu Police Provincial Director Roderick Mariano said he has not received reports of sightings of armed men in the province.

“But with what’s happening in our neighboring province, I have instructed my chiefs of police to maximize our presence in our seaports,” Mariano said.

Garcia said, “Cebu was always the model of the AFP on how the LGU (local government unit) can help our military to solve this insurgency problem.”

She pointed out that the local chief executive should be “clear” where she sets her sentiments and loyalties “and that is with the Republic of the Philippines.”

Let’s keep our loyalties because the aim of the NPA is to overthrow our government and put up their own government, Garcia said.

In March 2010, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) handed over the lead role in internal security operations (ISO) to the Provincial Peace and Order Council, which meant that all the 44 towns and eight component cities of Cebu were free of the NPA’s influence.

The only other province to receive the same recognition was Aurora in Luzon after all its barangays and municipalities were declared insurgency-free. (RTF, WBS, HBL/MPS)