BUTUAN CITY , Philippines – Following the recent bombings that rocked some parts of Mindanao, the Philippine National Police (PNP) office in Cabadbaran City has confirmed receiving intelligence reports warning of attacks on vital installations and mining areas in Agusan del Norte from suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
Chief Inspector Carlos Ometer, Cabadbaran City police chief, said they put all their units on red alert and beefed up police visibility in areas believed to be targets of the attacks.
“We are not taking all these warnings for granted,†Ometer said.
The official also confirmed that the NPA rebels operating in Agusan del Norte under the Guerilla Front Committee 21 had demanded P6 million in revolutionary taxes from a company handling the construction of the capitol building in Cabadbaran City.
Ometer said he has in his possession a copy of the demand letter addressed to a foreman identified as Joy Batega.
“The original letter was written on paper with the NPA logo, which I believed was authentic as I have seen similar demand letters from the group.†Ometer said.
He said the rebels were calling Batega to follow upon their demands.