Centcom on red alert amid ECQ

CEBU, Philippines —  As precautionary measure, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command is on red alert status following the recent attack by the communist rebels that injured three soldiers in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental.

Centcom spokesperson Captain Eduardo Prescioso said the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) are taking advantage of the enhanced community quarantine by attacking government troops distributing relief goods.

"Sumasabay sila sa problema ng pilipinas, recently kaliwa't kanan ang atake ng nga CPP-NPA terrorist group sa mga barangay, during sa mga pagbibigay at pagdi-distribute ng mga goods sa barangay," Prescioso said.

He said the CentCom is on maximum deployment status since the start of the ECQ as part of the government’s contingency measure in case the situation will get worst.

"Will be able to deploy considerable forces para makatulong dito sa pandemic, in terms of security and in terms of delivering the supply for the community and for the frontliners," he said.

Prescioso said they have already instructed all the field units to maintain their guards because of the possibility that their enemies with take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Kasi kung maalala natin may mga relief goods na naidistribute doon sa mga barangay na binababaan ng NPA at kinukuha din ng NPA," he said.

The incident allegedly happened in in Samar and Panay Island.

Meanwhile, Precioso dispel speculations of a martial-like implementation of the ECQ in the Visayas. He assured the public that their national headquarters has no directive to implement a martial law-like ECQ.

"Sa ngayon ay nag fo-focus yung Central Command on how to intensify yung implementation ng ECQ together with the PNP in which ang PNP yung lead agency," he said.

He, however, said that they are ready anytime should there be a directive and new guidelines on how to implement the ECQ.

"Hopefully hindi aabot sa ganun para hindi mamisinterpret ng mga tao," Precioso said.  FPL (FREEMAN)