Schools in Abra town closed as government operations vs rebels continue

March 17, 2017

Baguio City --  Students in Malibcong town in the province of Abra cannot go to their schools as the military continues to pursue the New People’s Army which raided a police station on Sunday. The armed group also ambushed a convoy of the Malibcong police chief as fighting rages, prompting regional education department officials to suspend classes. At least 11 elementary schools have suspended classes starting Tuesday, said Georaloy Palao-oy of the Department of Education. Cordillera police officials formed a Special Investiation Task Group (SITG) headed by  deputy regional director for administration Senior Supt. Gregorio Lim to find out if there were operational lapses by policemen. Cordillera police director Chief Superintendent Elmo Sarona ordered all chiefs of police  to strengthen security of police personnel in their areas of responsibility. Abra Gov. Jocelyn Valera-Bernos said all policemen deployed in Malibcong were pulled-out and relieved with those from Cordillera regional headquarters. DMS