PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. INQUIRER PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has directed the Police Regional Office-5 (PRO-5) to focus its anti-insurgency drive in Masbate province after the recent communist rebel attacks in the area.
Eleazar said on Friday that the series of alleged New People’s Army (NPA) attacks in Masbate is a cause for concern, especially after another incident where a barangay captain and his companions narrowly escaped fighters.
He noted that this attack, being on the heels of another supposed NPA operation where three street vendors were killed, shows that strong-worded statements no longer affect the rebels.
“Hindi sapat ang pagkondena sa kanilang mga pag-atake dahil hindi na tinatablan ng maanghang na salita at kahihiyan ang grupong ito,” Eleazar, who is currently in Bicol Region for an official visit, said in a statement.
(Condemning their attacks is not enough, they are no longer affected by strong words.)
“Inatasan ko na ang RD, PRO5, PBGen Jonnel Estomo, na bigyan ng espesyal na atensyon ang Masbate sa kabila ng sunod-sunod na pag-atake ng CPP-NPA-NDF na ngayon ay tinatarget ang mga sibilyan sa Masbate,” he added.
(I have directed the RD, PRO5, Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, to give Masbate special attention following the series of CPP-NPA-NDF attacks targeting civilians.)
READ: 3 street vendors killed by NPAs in Masbate town, say police
The rising numbers of civilian casualties in recent NPA operations which include Far Eastern University (FEU) football standout Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon — which also happened in Masbate — show the need to stop the spate of violence in the area.
The Absalon cousins were reported to be cycling in Masbate City’s Barangay Anas last June when an anti-personnel landmine went off, immediately killing the two. Nolven’s 16-year-old son who was with them meanwhile sustained several injuries.
The incident has drawn condemnation from various officials and human rights groups.
The NPA has owned up to the incident, vowing to install corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. But Eleazar said back then that the NPA leadership can show sincerity by surrendering the rebels involved.
READ: Eleazar tells NPA: If you’re sincere, surrender those responsible for Masbate blast
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ito at kailangan nang putulin ang karahasang ito laban sa mga kababayan natin sa Masbate,” Eleazar said.
(This is unacceptable and the violence against our people should be stopped.)
On the other hand, the PNP chief also said that the whole Eastern Visayas police under high alert as they try to prepare for possible retaliation, as government troopers were successful in killing at least 19 communist rebels in Eastern Samar.