ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) is wary of a possible New People’s Army (NPA) counterattack following the military’s recent air strike of a rebel encampment in Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao that killed 16 insurgents.
IPPO director, Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero ordered cops in the municipal level to be alert.
“Maayo nga maka seguro kita kag alerto,” Gorero added.
Aside from a possible NPA reprisal, the police are also preparing for the rebels’ 53rd anniversary on Dec. 26.
An intelligence report showed the rebels were planning to launch an attack on the San Joaquin police station and San Joaquin mobile patrol during their anniversary.
San Joaquin is the southernmost towns in Iloilo province.
Gorero said the police is closely coordinating with the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division of the Philippine Army.
He reminded police chiefs to carry both short and long firearms while in the stations, especially those with sightings of the NPA.
They will tap force multipliers such as barangay intelligence networks (BIN) and community-based organizations.
Meanwhile, 352 neophyte police officers are set to finish their field training program (FTP) today (Dec. 7).
Gorero said they could be assigned to different police stations across the region.
Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, regional police director, said the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) will augment the men to the IPPO.
“Magdagdag tayo ng pwersa. We have to use all our resources,” Dongbo said.
Troops of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB, under the 301st Infantry Brigade) and 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company led the assault around 6 a.m. last week bolstered by air support using FA50 fighter jets.
The clash lasted for several hours after which the government troops recovered eight bodies and seized three M16 rifles, an AK47 rifle, four anti-personnel mines, three detonators, a projector, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and assorted personal belongings.
At least 20 rebels were reportedly wounded, and they are still in the mountains.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said there were no violations on the rules of war and international humanitarian law, contratry to NPA’s claim.
“That was a successful decisive operation. There was no collateral damage from the community or any civilian affected,” said Brigadier General Marion Sison of the 301st Brigade.
“Ang AFP ay hindi gumagawa ng indiscriminate firing, bombing or anything na maapektuhan ang ating kababayan,” he added. “The attack was planned for two days because we have very good intelligence at very good information not only from one source, but many sources.”/PN
