ILOILO – Fifteen police stations are vulnerable to attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA), according to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
These police stations were in municipalities with mostly hinterland villages where rebels have been sighted, said Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, police provincial director.
The 15 police stations were in the towns of Alimodian, Bingawan, Calinog, Guimbal, Janiuay, Igbaras, Lambunao, Lemery, Leon, Maasin, Miag-ao, San Rafael, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, and Tubungan.
“Our specific reminders to them are the positioning and alertness of their personnel,” said Tayaba.
Around 50 rebels stormed the police station of Maasin and immobilized nine helpless police officers in June 18 last year.
The daring, broad daylight incursion was swift. Within 15 minutes beginning around 10:30 a.m., the rebels shanghaied M16 rifles, Glock .9mm pistols, handheld radios, laptops, cash, and jewelry.
The rebels did not harm the nine Maasin police officers but handcuffed them. They also used the police station’s patrol car to flee.
The Maasin incident, however, was not the first time rebels raided a police station in Iloilo province. In June 2004 over 60 rebels stormed the police station of Tubungan and its town hall. Eight policemen and about 50 municipal employees were held hostage.
The attack caught Tubungan policemen by surprise. The rebels took their guns and before leaving, they left two red flags at the front door of the town hall signifying their successful attack./PN
