Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify the crackdown on Private Armed Groups (PAGs) and illegal firearms.
Abalos said in a statement Monday that the PNP should bolster efforts to end “senseless violence” targeting local government officials and preventing criminality in the country.
Abalos’ order came after the recent gun attacks on three local government officials, resulting in the death of a vice mayor and nine aides.
The fatal and near-fatal ambush happened two to three days apart in Lanao del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, and Pasay City in Metro Manila from February 17-22.
READ: PNP chief: Recent gun attacks on local gov’t officials ‘not yet alarming’
“Kailangang tukuyin at buwagin ang mga PAGs na ito at kumpiskahin ang loose firearms na nasa kanilang pag-aari na maaaring ginagamit nila sa mga iligal na gawain,” Abalos said during the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan Bayanihan ng Mamamayan Fun Run, according to Abalos in a statement released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
(We need to identify and dismantle these PAGs and confiscate the loose firearms in their possession which they might be using in illegal operations.)
The DILG chief also instructed increased police visibility and tightened security across the country to allay public fears and discourage illegally armed individuals or groups from committing violence.
“I also expect the PNP to stay true to its mission to serve and protect the citizenry by exerting sustained, deliberate and committed efforts to stop this senseless violence against local officials and prevent criminal activities,” Abalos said.
On February 17, unidentified suspects attacked the Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. convoy in Wao town. This gun assault killed Adiong’s four aides and wounded the governor and two others.
Two days later, Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda, along with five of his companions, were killed in an ambush in Bagabag town, Nueva Vizcaya.
Then on February 22, police said that Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal of Datu Montawal town in Maguindanao was hurt in an ambush try along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City. — MJ Soriano, trainee
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