PNP says 77 private armed groups operating

December 27, 2018

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said there are 77 identified private armed groups and 166 potential armed groups in the country, its spokesman said. 

  In an interview over dzRH Thursday, Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said the identified armed groups are actively operating. He said the groups are subject to intensified law enforcement operations by the PNP. 

  Durana also added  out of 166 potential armed groups, some are linked to politicians and are used for political interests. Most of the groups, according to Durana, are focused in the Bicol region.  

  "I am sure there are PAGs used by unscrupulous politicians and are not only limited to outsourcing the territorial operations, they could be from somewhere else. In fact, there are unverified reports that some are from authorities in Bicol," Durana said. 

  Durana also added during a separate television interview that among members of private armed groups were criminals, armed rebels and some policemen. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS