THE Northern Mindanao police will not carry out police operation against the New People’s Army (NPA) effective Thursday, March 19 to April 15, as they shift focus on health emergency response and public safety to combat the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Lieutenant Colonel Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao, said the suspension of police operation (Sopo) against the communist rebels is in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of unilateral ceasefire amid the pandemic.
Hortillosa said PRO-Northern Mindanao director Brigadier General Rolando Anduyan has ordered the provincial and city police chiefs including the mobile forces to cease from conducting combat and offensive operation against the NPA.
However, the police will remain on defensive mode to thwart the rebels who might use the crisis as opportunity to carry out hostile actions.
“Magpabilin kita nga anaa sa defensive mode batok sa mga NPA nga posibleng mag take advantage,” Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa also said the SOPO will not cover law enforcement functions such as service of warrants against NPA members.
With the suspension of SOPO, Hortillosa said policemen assigned to fight the communist guerillas will be pulled out and will be utilized for health emergency response especially in areas in the region placed under community quarantine.