The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) is beefing up efforts to prevent members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from carrying out attacks in Western Visayas using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In an interview on IMT Conversations, PRO-6 Regional Director Brigadier General Rolando Miranda said the major threat to peace and order in the region is the presence NPA rebels who continuously perpetrate IED attacks.
“Yan ang pinatutukan ko ngayon sa ating intelligence community at field commanders natin,” he said.
According to Miranda, the attacks can cause harm to innocent civilians.
“Ang masakit nito ang sibilyang madadamay kasi bigla nalang sasabog ang landmine at magkakaroon ng ambush. Kung minsan may kasamang sibilyan ang government forces so yan ang iniiwasan natin,” he said.
“Itong mga NPA [rebels] kasi hindi naman namimili ito. Basta gusto lang nilang maparamdam na nandiyan sila kahit alam nilang hindi naman sila mananalo,” Miranda added.
The region’s top cop said he is ready to accept and help those NPA members who want go back to the fold of the government.
“Sa mga pamilya ng NPA rebels, hikayatin nyo yung mga kamag-anak nyo na sumuko na. Tutulungan ko sila personal para mailapit sila sa gobyerno. Mabigyan sila ng pabahay ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte at magkaroon sila ng peace of mind kasi hindi sila mananlo sa gobyerno. Niloko sila ng mga liderato. Tandaan nyo 52 years na kayong nakikipaglaban, hanggang ngayon hindi pa kayo nanalo. Sumama na kayo sa gobyerno para tuloy ang ating pag-unlad,” said Miranda.
NPA claimed responsibility for the IED attacks in the towns of Janiuay ang Lambunao this month.IMT
