PNP beefs up security amid peace talks total collapse

INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has beefed up its security of all its facilities and units to preempt any “hostile actions” of communist rebels following the collapse of the peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF).

PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said all police units were instructed to “intensify security measures in all PNP facilities and installations.”

“Security procedures and [Standard Operational Procedures] are being strictly observed in all administrative and operational movement of troops and personnel,” Durana said in a statement.

Durana said PNP chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde had issued a series of security reminders to all regional directors in anticipation of possible increased armed activity, violent action, and show of force by the NPA.

He said the PNP high command has also reminded all police personnel to observe extra precautionary measures in their movements from their residences to their places of work.

“This alert notice is treated with most preferential attention to preempt any attack [against] or abduction of our personnel,” the spokesperson said.

The negotiations between the Philippine government and the NDF is on the brink of total collapse as President Rodrigo Duterte postponed the formal round of talks that was supposed to happen on June 28 in Oslo, Norway.

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder and NDF chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison, on the other hand, said the negotiations are not yet terminated after saying Reds have ended talks with the Duterte administration.

As a countermeasure against possible NPA activities, Durana said PNP units were instructed to adopt the policy of “no surprise” or unannounced inspection or visit to police posts and patrol bases.

“Unexpected visitors shall be treated with extreme caution and suspicion by PNP Units as the NPA has been known to disguise themselves clad in military and police uniforms when conducting raids on isolated government posts,” he said./ac