Local execs urged: Declare NPAs as persona non-grata

CEBU, Philippines —  Police Regional Office-7 director Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo has appealed to the different local government units in Central Visayas to declare members of the New People’s Army (NPA) as persona non-grata in their respective areas.

Montejo issued the call Tuesday following an encounter between government troops and suspected NPA rebels in Santa Catalina town in Negros Oriental. Police personnel were out to serve search warrants when the encounter happened resulting in the deaths of two suspected rebels and the recovery of assorted firearms and other subversive materials.

"Akong giawhag ang tanan nga katawhan, ang mga local chief executives, gikan sa mga barangay captains, mga city and municipality mayors, nga panahon na nga magkahiusa ta, ato ni silang i-deklara nga persona non-grata," Montejo said.

A group of alleged former NPA rebels held an indignation rally in Cebu City last Monday to denounce the NPA. The group condemned the alleged terroristic activities perpetrated by their former comrades. 

At least 100 of them gathered at the Senior Citizen’s Park along MC Briones Street in downtown Cebu City for the indignation rally in line with the 52nd founding anniversary of the NPA, the military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Montejo said the activity was an indication that the people are now becoming more aware of the criminal activities of the NPA.

"Sulod sa 52 years nga giilad ta…mga black propaganda ug unsa-unsa pa ilang (NPA) gihimo nga mura’g napaikot nila ang utok sa mga katawhan, karon siguro kay mura’g kasabot na, nahigmata na kung unsa ang mga terroristic acts nga ilang gihimo," said Montejo.

Meanwhile, Montejo has directed all station commanders in Negros Oriental to be on full alert status for possible retaliatory attacks from the NPA.

At least 10 NPA rebels were killed in another encounter in Guihulngan town few days ago. — FPL (FREEMAN)