THE Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) and the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBgde) of the Philippine Army are on alert status for possible atrocities, following the order of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to the New People’s Army (NPA), “to mount tactical offensives across the country in response to the extension of martial law in Mindanao.”
Colonel Benedict Arevalo, 303rd IBgde commander, said that with or without the extension of martial law they will be alert at all times. Also this is not new to them, he added.
Arevalo said his order to the troops will always be “we attack the NPAs before they attack us.”
He said the communist rebels have been attacking not only the military or police but also innocent and helpless civilians whom they murder cold-bloodedly and then admits doing them.
He said that they should not make an excuse for their atrocities by saying it’s because of the extension of martial law.
“Tell it to their militant leftist organizations that believe them and not to us,” he added.
The CPP, in its statement on December 12, said: “All NPA units must exert all possible efforts to punish the worst fascist units and officers of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) who have committed grave crimes against the people.”
The order to the communist rebels came immediately after Congress approved the extension of martial law in Mindanao for the third time on Wednesday, December 12.
President Rodrigo Duterte first made a declaration on extending martial law on May 23, 2017, in the height of the Marawi siege.
The new extension will take effect on January 1 and will be effective for the whole year of 2019.
The CPP also called on the Filipinos to further intensify their protests against martial law in Mindanao, de facto nationwide martial law, and against President Duterte's tyranny and terrorism.
The group predicted more killings, abductions, torture and worse abuses against the people after the declaration of extending martial law in Mindanao take effect.
They said lawmakers who voted for the extension will have their names tainted with the blood of each and every victim of the President’s all-out war.
It also said that extending military rule in Mindanao will result in worse corruption within the AFP and PNP (Philippine National Police), noting that under President Duterte, the military has gained overriding control of the civilian bureaucracy and all its funds.
“The AFP is set on heightening its election meddling in order to manipulate the midterm polls to favor pro-Duterte and pro-AFP candidates,” it said.
Meanwhile, Nocppo Provincial Directo Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., said they’ve been expecting the pronouncement of the communist rebels since their founding anniversary is fast approaching, which will be on December 26.
Castil said they even doubt the unilateral ceasefire that the communist rebels are telling the authorities.
“Di kami naniniwala dun (we don’t believe it),” he added.
Castil said the police in the province will continue to be alert against possible rebel attacks.
“We are now on offensive and defensive mode, even if it’s not the holiday season, and even if the area is considered infested by the reds or not,” he also said.
The Negros top cop said he already directed police chiefs to always check their personnel in their respective police stations.
“We want them to be alert at all times,” he said.
“Police chiefs should ensure that all personnel could defend their respective police stations,” Castil said.
“Walang mag re-relax dapat (nobody should relax),” he stressed.