By Tara Yap

In response to reports suggesting police officers who were disarmed by the New People’s Army (NPA) would be deployed to Marawi City, Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, dispelled the claims, saying, no such order has been received from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.
Clarifying statements by the PNP chief regarding law enforcement officials from Maasin being dispatched to the conflict-stricken area, Binag said it was an “insinuation” made by a radio reporter who was covering Dela Rosa’s visit to the province last week.
An estimated 70-member team of NPA rebels previously raided the Maasin Municipal Police Station and overpowered law enforcement, stealing government-issued firearms, ammunition, and personal belongings.
While speaking during recognition rites for Class Dakila of the Public Safety Basic Recruit (PSBR), Dela Rosa expressed his disappointment at the situation, saying, “They just gave up their arms to the rebel group without even fighting back.”/WDJ