POLICE personnel from the Eastern Visayas Police Regional Office, including the Samar police, were told to intensify operations and heighten security measures against communist rebels.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar issued the directive after the military discovered a site being used by rebels to manufacture anti-personnel mines or landmines in Eastern Samar.
A raid by the Army 8th Infantry Division at the New Peoples Army’s lair in Dolores, Eastern Samar resulted in the death of at least 19 communist rebels after a 13-hour firefight with the troopers.
The PNP condemned the continuous manufacture and use by the rebels of anti-personnel mines or land mines. This shows a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law and shows that the CPP/NPA has no remorse for the death of innocent civilians, including Far Eastern University football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven who were killed by landmines.
“We will not stop until we have fully neutralized the attacks and harassment perpetrated by these rebels in our communities. I have tasked all police units in the area to be on heightened alert to thwart attacks by these rebels who have been targeting innocent civilians,” PGen. Eleazar said.
According to the PNP Chief, “This is proof that the CPP/NPA doesn’t care anymore if civilians get hurt, just to show that they are still strong even if their forces are slowly diminishing.”
PGen Eleazar encouraged the public to report to authorities if they have information on the presence of NPA rebels as well as sites being used by the communists to manufacture the landmines.
(PHOTO CREDIT: pna.gov.ph)