Palparan: AFP not aggresive enough vs NPA

MALOLOS CITY – Today’s military commanders are not aggressive enough in fighting the New People’s Army (NPA), according to retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan.

The former Central Luzon military chief said military commanders today seem to be simply waiting for information about the NPA, which they are tasked to hunt down.

“In my time, my objective was the total eradication of the NPA through constant clearing operations,” he told The STAR. “Malaki ang inihina ng mga military commanders natin ngayon (Our current military commanders are significantly weaker).”

Palparan, who was linked to extrajudicial killings when he was in the active service and was dubbed a “butcher” by human rights groups, also said President Arroyo’s deadline to end the communist rebellion by 2010 is impossible to meet.

“At the pace the military is working on it, it is just impossible, because even their methodology is wrong,” he said.

Palparan said before he retired from service, his relentless campaign had weakened the NPA in Central Luzon.

As a result, Mrs. Arroyo commended him during her State of the Nation Address in 2006, he added.

Palparan said he is confident that the NPA has already been weakened and would not be able to do much harm because it is losing mass support and its propaganda campaign has backfired on them.

“Generally, the CPP-NPA-NDF is weaker because their propaganda against the government and the AFP-PNP has backfired. Hardly anyone wants to join or support them, so they’re having difficulty in this regard,” he said in Filipino.

However, the NPA might launch offensives in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western and Eastern Visayas, and Davao Region, he added.

Palparan said there is no need for the military to make special preparations for the NPA offensives because government troops are always ready, especially in divisions where the brigade and battalion commanders are capable.

“But in areas where the AFP commanders are weak, we have cause for concern,” he added.

In Bulacan, police are on guard for possible NPA attacks on its 40th founding anniversary today.

Bulacan police director Senior Superintendent Allen Bantolo they don’t want a repeat of the shootout with the NPA in the towns of Pandi and Angat on March 29, 2003.

Five policemen were killed in the fighting: Chief Inspector Expedito Delgado, deputy group director of the 305th Provincial Mobile Group; Police Officer 3 Elpidio Reyes, and Police Officers 1 Benjamin Hernandez, Erwin Cruz and Israel Fajardo.

Military on alert

Troops were placed on alert yesterday in anticipation of NPA attacks to mark its 40th founding anniversary today.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said frontline troops would go on  “preventive patrols” to avert any NPA atrocity.

“There was no specific order because all units are conscious of the NPA’s anniversary,” he said. 

“So all units would put up patrols and strengthen detachments.”

The military has been seeing indications of possible attacks on several detachments as early as the start of this month, Esperon said.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. also placed police nationwide on alert last night against possible NPA attacks.

“Historically, the NPA has been known to launch armed hostilities and tactical offensives against soft targets and other targets of  opportunity as their way of commemorating their anniversary,” he said.

Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa, deputy chief for administration, said the PNP is always ready for any eventuality.

“We are prepared, it is a continuing effort,” he said.

Chief Superintendent Silverio Alarcio Jr., PNP director for operations, has alerted police regional offices and national support units to prevent the movement of NPA rebels.

“There is a possibility that the NPA might launch terrorist acts against less secured police and military outposts, and vulnerable government installations including some business establishments and other soft targets,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NPA vowed to take advantage of the country’s rapidly worsening food situation and blamed Mrs. Arroyo’s policies for the rising prices of rice and other essential goods.

In a statement, the rebels said the country “faces the grave problem of shortage and soaring price of rice. “This problem has already caused malnutrition on a national scale and starvation in certain areas.”

NPA to attack mine sites

The NPA vowed yesterday to step up attacks on mine sites, plantations and logging companies.

“Certain enterprises (mines, plantations, loggings, etc) and certain installations are targeted by the NPA because these are detrimental to the interests of the people,” the NPA said in a statement.

“By attacking these, the NPA compels the enemy to deploy guard units at separate places, each one of which is vulnerable to further offensive actions by the NPA.”

Since the start of the year, NPA rebels have attacked at least three mining sites in Mindanao and on Masbate island in the Visayas.

No one has been hurt, but the rebels have torched equipment and installations.

In response, the government has set up a special military unit to guard mines, plantations and power transmission lines in Mindanao.

The NPA can still grow from existing guerrilla fronts in 9,000 barangays in 70 provinces and 800 municipalities nationwide, according to the Communist Party of the Philippines. — with Cecille Suerte Felipe, James Mananghaya, Katherine Adraneda, AP