IT IS a manifestation of their weakness.
This was how Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas described the series of killings perpetrated by the New People's Army (NPA) particularly on village chiefs in Negros Occidental last month.
Bulalacao, in a press briefing at 21 Bar Restaurant in Bacolod City yesterday, said he was saddened about the series of killings but he assured the public that the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) continues to investigate these incidents.
The NPA admitted the killing of incumbent Libas village chief Rhoy Pagapang on August 20 and former San Agustin village chief Agapito Euroba on August 10, claiming that their victims were alleged "military assets."
Pagapang was laid to rest at Isabela Public Cemetery on Sunday, September 2. His family continues to call for justice on his death.
On August 26, Joemarie Saracia, 44, of Barangay Sebucauan, was also gunned down by five unidentified NPA members in the said village.
Bulalacao said the activeness of police and military against insurgency prompted rebels to resort to riding-in-tandem or Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) operations to threaten barangay officials who do not support them.
"This is their way of instilling fear among the communities to enable the people to support them," he added.
Bulalacao said it did not cause them to gain strength, it only proves that they are "traitors."
The PRO-Western Visayas top cop said the killings in the province are not considered an isolated case but he stressed the authorities are on top of the situation.
Despite the series of killings, Bulalacao said there is no need for additional security forces because the existing NPA members are only few which is “they are resorting to banditry.”
He believed that the police and military personnel with the help of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) are enough to address the insurgency problem in the province or in the region.
"What is difficult is that we just cannot identify them easily because they can blend with the people but once we get support from the public, we can succeed on our campaign against the insurgency," Bulalacao said.
Bulalacao is encouraging the public to continue reporting the existence of rebels to the authorities for immediate action. (GYM)