Vital installations in Luzon guarded during NPA anniversary

BAGUIO CITY – Soldiers in Northern and Central Luzon provinces are on the alert for possible attacks against vital installations and infrastructure during the New People’s Army (NPA) anniversary today and well into April.

Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief Lt. Gen. Bonifacio Ramos ordered all government troops "never to let their guard down even during the Holy Week, when most people of Catholic faith observe the occasion with utmost solemnity."

Ramos said he is alerting his troops because of constant attempts by the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) "to destroy the government’s image with their extensive propaganda machinery, that seems to be gaining ground not only locally but also internationally."

‘Soft targets’

Globe Telecommunications cell sites in the towns of Balanga, Orion and Hermosa in Bataan province are targets of raids or harassment by a group led by an NPA leader named only as "Ka Bokyo," Ramos said. He added that an airconditioned bus owned by Balanga Transit was also attacked due to the bus line’s failure to pay revolutionary taxes to the rebels.

He added that NPA rebels from the North and South Platoons of the Zambales Provincial Committee led by a certain "Ka Brix/Akil" and "Ka Inso/Insiong" are eyeing the Command Post of Bravo Company of the 24th Infantry Battalion, the Rabanes CAFGU detachment of the 70th Infantry Battalion and the PNP Municipal Station in Zambales.

The military believes that Ka Inso/Insiong was behind the liquidation of retired PNP Ismael Bactad of San Felipe last Dec. 18, 2006.

Ramos also said that the CPP/NPA in Bulacan and other parts of the region intend to conduct tactical offensives and that the military has been forewarned and has prepared for such impending attacks.

Ramos also said they are closely watching how the rebel movement is acting in view of the upcoming midterm elections, as the campaign for local posts starts in a few days. NPA intervention is noted as they started to impose "permit-to-win" and "permit-to-campaign" fees from some candidates, Ramos said.

Military intelligence agents reportedly received information that the CPP-NPA’s Cagayan Valley Regional Committee’s Central Front met with local party branch members operating in Barangay Ibujan in San Mariano town in Isabela province to discuss the coming elections.