Masbate on heightened alert; military launches offensives vs NPA rebels

LEGAZPI CITY ,Philippines  – All police stations in the island province of Masbate was placed on a heightened alert status yesterday, while Army units conducted hot pursuit operation against a band of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who attacked the Mobo police station early Sunday.

Chief Superintendent Cecilio Calleja Jr., Bicol police regional director ordered the Regional Public Safety Batallion to hunt down the rebels.

At least seven policemen were injured in the attack of the police station, while a soldier was killed and three others were wounded when an Army vehicle they were riding was hit by a landmine detonated by NPA rebels in Barangay Maingaran.

Superintendent Wilson Asueta, the new Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson for the Bicol police, told The STAR that scene of the crime investigators also recovered six M-203 grenade shells, 191 pieces of empty shells from an M-14 rifle and 533 empty shells from an M-16 rifle where the firefight happened.

PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo also ordered all PNP field units to step up target hardening measures again in isolated police posts and government installations in the wake of the recent hostilities by NPA rebels in the countryside.

Bacalzo also commended the members of the Mobo police for putting up a brave stand against the NPA rebels who staged an early morning attack on their station.

Senior Inspector Leos Prima, Mobo police chief said it was the first major attack launched by the rebels in their police station.

“Our police station suffered so much damage due to grenade and bullets that hit the building. Even our computers were also destroyed,” he said.

Major Angelo de Guzman, spokesperson for the the 9th Infantry Division, said the use of landmines is causing fear on commuters in Masbate.

De Guzman said the Army will file a complaint at the Commission on Human Rights against the Communist Party of the Philippines and NPA rebels using landmines.