The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) identified Passi City, along with 15 Iloilo municipalities, as “high risk” for violent attack by the New People’s Army (NPA).

According to IPPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, the 15 at risk towns include Alimodian, Balasan, Bingawan, Calinog, Guimbal, Janiuay, Igbaras, Lambunao, Lemery, Leon, Maasin, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, San Rafael, and Tubungan.

Tayaba said police in these areas must be on alert at all times, pointing out police stations must never be unmanned.

Most recently, one member of the Regional Public Safety Battalion-Region VI (RPSB-6) was killed, while several others were injured, after coming under NPA fire in Maasin’s Barangay Bolo.

In addition, back in June, nine Maasin police officers were disarmed and handcuffed after the NPA stormed the Maasin Municipal Police Station, with the rebel group carting away with firearms, radio equipment, laptop computers, cash, and a patrol vehicle./WDJ