Army's 3rd ID also ready for possible NPA attack

CEBU, Philippines - With or without the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)'s pronouncement, the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division declared it is ready to take on terrorists in Panay and Negros islands.

Brigadier General Jon Aying, 3rd ID commander, said the military is already used to New People's Army's "threats" of launching offensives against government troops. "They (rebels) have been saying that most of the time," he said.

On Wednesday, the CPP called on its armed wing, the NPA, to conduct more offensives as their way of resisting the martial law declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press statement, it said: "The Party calls on the NPA to plan and carry out more tactical offensives across Mindanao and the entire archipelago."

The 3rd ID had already placed itself on full red alert status, similar to what the Police Regional Office-6 did. "Our offensives against local terrorists continue. It never waned," Aying said, adding that there would be no let-up until the NPA would realize that they are fighting for a futile cause.

Presently, the 3rd ID pegged the NPA armed combatants in Panay Island at 150 while there were about 20 armed fighters in Negros Island.

Aside from the decline in numbers in the NPA, quality of fighters and leaders have left the movement now, Aying said. "More than a decade ago, we're fighting with more skilled and intelligence combatants. They were graduates of universities. But now, wala na direksyon ang ila nga ginapakigbato."

Meanwhile, PRO-6 said it has been on guard and monitoring key economic points (KEPs) and vital installations in Western Visayas that could be targets of possible NPA attacks.

"Since we are on full alert, troops all over the region were already advised to be on alert against harassments from local terrorists," said Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, PRO-6 spokesperson.

PRO-6 director Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Garcia, for his part, appealed to different religious organizations for prayers. He also asked the populace to remain vigilant and report to local police any group or suspicious persons in their locality.

Even the Philippine Coast Guard –Western Visayas has been on alert in keeping the coastlines and seas of the region safe from "intruders."

Commander Ramil Palabrica, PCG–Iloilo Station commander, confirmed that Commodore Lyndon Latorre, PCG-West Visayas commander, directed all stations to be on alert, as it also widened its patrol operations to guard entry and exit points, especially of those coming from Mindanao. (FREEMAN)