NEGROS Occidental provincial election supervisor Jessie Suarez urged the rebels not to cause any trouble during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Monday.
This, after the three recent incidents allegedly perpetrated by New People’s Army (NPA) in Kabankalan City and the municipalities of Moises Padilla and Toboso this week.
Suarez said the rebels just want to seek attention and be felt this time.
“Anything is possible but we can get through it,” Suarez said, as he assured the public that the police and military are well prepared for the security plan for the election.
Suarez said that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are visible and continuously monitoring their activities.
“If they will be sighted suspiciously, they should be arrested,” he added.
However, he also reminded law enforcers to observe proper procedure in apprehension to avoid violation of human rights.
Suarez said that if the rebels commit an offense, it will instead backfire on them.
He said that they should be cautious with their movement this time especially because it’s election period.
With the recent atrocities perpetrated by the rebels, Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said they are even expecting that they will take advantage of the situation during the election.
The Regional Mobile Force Company and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are ready, he said.
Castil said they are wondering about the recent movements because they are even aware of the possible resumption of peace talks between the reds and the government.
“There’s no attacks and ambush supposed to be,” he added.
On May 11, an alleged intelligence asset of the Philippine Army died while his companion was seriously wounded when suspected members of Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) of NPA reportedly ambushed them at Barangay San Isidro in Toboso town.
Killed was Lusan Ledama, 66, while wounded was Jose Villagante, 67.
Investigation showed that Ledama and his friend Villagante were riding a motorcycle bound to Escalante City when about 10 to 12 armed men blocked their way and fired at them.
In southern Negros, five unidentified armed men believed to be NPA members also allegedly burned a six-wheeler canter truck loaded with fertilizers at Barangay Magallon Cadre in Moises Padilla town on the same day.
The perpetrators then took their firearms and set the vehicle on fire. They left the workers unharmed and fled towards neighboring La Castellana town.
Four days ago, the Mount Cansermon Command (MCC) owned up the burning of backhoe and other heavy equipment as well as bunkhouse of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at Sitio Tagbak, Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, claiming that their action was a symbol of strong opposition against the construction of the dam, a government project of NIA in the city since it affected the livelihood of the residents.
Meanwhile, Castil said these movements from the rebels were not considered election-related incidents.
Suarez said, "they (rebels) should stay put and refrain from making any movement that can affect the election." (GYM)