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[av_heading heading=’Military, police alert sugar centrals vs Reds ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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Sunday, March 12, 2017
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ILOILO City – Teams from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s (IPPO) Special Weapons and Tactics and Public Safety Company were deployed to areas that rebels may likely attack, including sugar centrals.
The 3rd infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army also mobilized its soldiers, said its spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Ericson Rosana.
The police is on red alert, according to Chief Inspector Aron Palomo, IPPO spokesperson.
Intelligence sources of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines said New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were targeting the Central Azucarera de San Antonio and Universal Robina Corp.’s sugar central.
Rebels going hungry in the mountains have resorted to extortion, according to the 3ID. Their targets also include construction companies, politicians and even marginal farmers in hinterland villages, said Rosana.
Central Azucarera de San Antonio is in the boundary shared by Barangay Cadilang, Passi City and Barangay Punong Grande, Dueñas, Iloilo. Universal Robina Corp.’s sugar central, on the other hand, is in Barangay Imbang Pequeño, San Enrique Iloilo.
Rosana said soldiers were deployed to Passi City and the towns of San Enrique, Lambunao, Calinog, and Janiuay, and even some towns in Capiz province.
“We conducted a validation. The results were negative. Still, we deployed augmentation forces to these areas. We don’t want to be complacent. We have to be alert always,” said IPPO’s Palomo.
Salcon Power Corp.’s diesel power plant in Barangay Tabugon, Dingle Iloilo may also be a target, according to police sources.
Rosana estimated the rebels’ total strength in Panay Island at 150 cadres and 200 in Negros Island.
Do not give in to the NPA’s demands or threats, Rosana urged the public.
Instead, report immediately to the police and the military, he stressed.
“Giving in to the rebels’ demands is tolerating their illegal activity,” warned Rosana.
He stressed the importance of strengthening the ties of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the community.
The people are the Armed Force’s best sources of information on the movements of rebels, he explained.
The 3ID has over 5,000 regular personnel backed by at least 4,000 Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units./PN
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