AFP warns business firms of NPA attacks

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday warned business firms of possible atrocities by the New People’s Army (NPA), citing the attack on an Army patrol base in Agusan del Norte last Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Victor Felix, chief of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said they are coordinating with the police and concerned government agencies to secure the investors.

“We have warned our detachments. We have also talked to the economic targets to strengthen their security posture,” Felix said.

“We should be prepared for any of their (NPA) offensive moves. They have already made a statement and I think we should take it seriously,” he added.

Felix said the rebels earlier said that they would attack some mining firms.

 “We are talking to the management (of the mining firms). In fact, some of the firms have asked us to establish SCAA (Special Civilian Armed Auxilliary) units,” he said.

Another possible target of rebels are agricultural firms, Felix said.

A soldier was killed and two others were injured when suspected rebels swooped down on the patrol base of the 23rd Infantry Battalion more than three hours after the 18-day ceasefire was lifted.

On Sunday, communist rebels also threatened to stage more attacks to dispel the military’s claim that 23 provinces have been liberated from insurgency.

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has been known to make such claims, only to be slapped in the face after a few days by NPA offensives,” the Communist Party of the Philippines said in a statement.

“In the next few weeks and months, the AFP will again be eating its own words as the NPA continues to launch more and more tactical offensives across the archipelago,” it added.