DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — The president of the League of Municipalities (LMP) in Negros Oriental is seeking the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army regarding reported sightings of armed men, believed to be Communist New People’s Army (NPA) members, in at least four towns in the north of the province.
Senior Supt. Edwin Portento, provincial PNP director, on Friday confirmed that they have received reports of such sightings but did not elaborate on the current activities of the supposed presence of the NPA in these areas.
Portento said he even went to Bindoy about three weeks ago and trekked up the mountains to validate reports of alleged expansion activities of the NPA in the town.
He also admitted having received reports of evacuation by some people who fear the presence of the NPA in their communities but he was not specific as to which areas this is taking place.
He disclosed that an ex-member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Bindoy has already evacuated because of the increased activity of alleged NPA members in his barrio.
He said he has been receiving reports of suspected NPA members visiting houses in the hinterlands, asking for provisions, and even warning them against reporting their presence to the authorities but these have yet to be verified by their intelligence personnel.
Mayor Edsel Enardecido of Ayungon said on Wednesday during the LMP meeting in Dumaguete City that the NPA was allegedly expanding its activities and its base in the adjacent towns of Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, and Tayasan.
In fact, the four local government units have agreed to hold a joint peace and order council meeting soon to address this problem, according to Enardecido.
The mayor said the four towns are where “NPA’s expansion area” is.
Enardecido also confirmed that many people have already started evacuating from their communities due to fear of the NPA’s presence there.
Portento expressed optimism though, that with the arrival of the 15th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and the presence of the other Army units here, the insurgency problem in these areas will be addressed. (PNA)
