Viscom denies presence of rebels in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  The Visayas Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has denied threat or any presence of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Cebu.

"We turn muna this information as, una, alarming and masasabi nating fake news indirectly pag pino-post sa social media, gusto lang talaga nilang maka-create ng alarm," said Captain Kim Apitong of the 3rd Infantry Battalion.

According to him, they are now tracing where this information came from.

There has been a report circulating in social media and even with the mainstream media that all police stations were directed to stay alert for possible harassment of the members of the CTGs.

"Sa aming mga information gathering ay wala na man pong information directly stating na may mga plans to attack any establishments or any patrol-bases in Cebu," said Apitong.

Despite not having a confirmation on this allegation, Apitong emphasized they will not stop monitoring the threat against insurgency.

He added that they are also looking closely at the area of Cebu considering that it is a “strategic area” where the major cities are located.

"Pero hindi natin tini-take for granted ang mga ganyang information but for now po kino-confirm pa ang impormasyong ito," said Apitong.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) also said it has not received reports about any threat of CTGs in Cebu.

Police Lt. Colonel Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy provincial director for operations of CPPO, said they also haven't monitor that suspected members of the CTGs are seeking refuge here in Cebu from Negros Island.

Just like the Visayas Command, Sucalit however assured that they will be monitoring this onwards.

In Cebu City, Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of CCPO, also said their intelligence community hadn't gathered such information.

"But as usual we will not always discount any possibilities so with that, always man gyud natong gi-remind atong mga stations and lower units nato nga ilahang strengthen ilang target hardening," said Parilla. — GMR (FREEMAN)