PRO-6 on offensive against NPA rebels

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — All units of the Police Regional Office-Region 6 are now on the offensive mode against the New People's Army (NPA).

Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr., PRO-6 director, has ordered his commanders to activate fully the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Centers (JPSCC) at the provincial and municipal levels.

The full implementation of these centers will eventually pave the way for the PRO-6's offensive operations and strengthen the defenses of police stations and vital installations, said Querol.

The JPSCC–in the regional, provincial, and city levels—serves as a mechanism to ensure unity of efforts between the military and the police in Region 6 in addressing peace and security concerns.

For this purpose, Querol said he already coordinated with Major Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division, for a proactive action against the NPA.

By proactive actions, the police and military troops would conduct combat operations in areas where the rebels are known to be operating. "Our combat operations won't be contained in Negros island alone. We will also do similar operations in Panay Island," said Querol.

PRO-6 is also preparing for diversionary tactics that the NPA might use preparatory for tactical offensives against the government, said Querol adding that he also mobilized the Public Safety Companies (PSCs) for counter-insurgency operations.

PRO-6 has taken a different tack following an encounter between the police and the rebels in Negros Occidental Sunday afternoon, which resulted in the wounding of two policemen: PO1 Apolonio Panunciar, who was injured in his back, and PO1 Leonil Basco, who was hit on his shoulder. The two are still recuperating in a hospital in Bacolod City.— Jennifer P. Rendon

Operatives of the Regional Public Safety Battalion were conducting patrol at Escalante City when the rebels fired at them, triggering a gunbattle that lasted for about 30 minutes.

It could not be ascertained if there were fatalities or wounded from the NPA, but the police recovered empty shells of M16 armalite rifle, foods, and subversive documents left behind by the fleeing rebels.