DILG says police, army ready if NPAs attack on their anniversary

March 28, 2018

Security measures are in place if the New People's Army (NPA) conducts surprise attacks as they mark their 49th anniversary on Thursday.

Undersecretary Eduardo Ano, officer-in-charge of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the NPA usually stage attacks and atrocities to mark its 49th anniversary.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) deployed at least 42,000 policemen during the Holy Week break. They are on alert for possible NPA attacks.

“We will make sure vulnerable targets are reinforced,” said Ano in an interview over dzMM. “We are ready in coordination and cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,”

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, PNP spokesman, said their officials are ready.

“All units are instructed to double their efforts in securing their camps and police stations by intensifying intelligence gatherings and conducting prophylactic police operations,” Bulalacao said in a text message to reporters.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier warned the police and military about the NPA's Special Partisan Unit (Sparu), a hit squad which he said is active after peace talks between the government and communist rebels last week. DMS