Bato to PNP units: ‘Fortify’ defenses vs rebel group as NPA anniversary nears

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa directed all police units on Monday to further strengthen its defenses, as the New People’s Army (NPA) steps up its offensives ahead of the rebel group’s anniversary.

Dela Rosa issued the reminder particularly to police forces in isolated areas in the countryside since they might be targets of the NPA, which is celebrating its founding anniversary on March 29.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“While PNP units are now presently preoccupied with our public safety operations for the Holy Week, I am reminding all unit commanders to fortify community defenses and step-up target hardening measures in isolated police ports and government installations as a proactive measure against possible hostilities of the communist [NPA] in the coming days ahead of its founding anniversary on March 29,” Dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

“I am instructing all PNP Regional Directors to put in place all necessary countermeasures to strengthen defenses of ‘soft targets’ and avoid being caught flat-footed in case of offensive enemy actions,” he added.

The country’s top cop said the PNP would take advantage of the good weather to launch its own tactical offensives against the NPA.

He likewise ordered police units to launch its own offensive against the insurgents by mobilizing the Barangay Information Network (BIN) and other counter-intelligence networks in the community “to deter CPP-NPA” hostilities.

Dela Rosa said the NPA usually launches its attacks on or before its anniversary, to “drumbeat” the commemoration of significant events in the underground operation.

At least 60 congressmen have asked the Duterte administration to resume the peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF), the CPP’s political wing, months after it bogged down late last year.

READ: Resume peace talks, 61 solons urge Duterte

In House Resolution No. 1803, the 61 lawmakers also called for the conclusion of the comprehensive agreements on socioeconomic and political reforms to “lay the basis for a just and lasting peace.”                   /kga