As a result of the New People’s Army (NPA) attack on the Maasin Municipal Police Station back in June of this year, 23 police officers were relieved from their posts. Recently, Maasin Mariano Malones, Sr. has called for their reinstatement, claiming they would be an asset in identifying NPA rebels in the Iloilo municipality.

The said officers have since been replaced by members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion-6.

Earlier, an estimated 70-member NPA unit attacked the police station, where nine police officers were disarmed and handcuffed as the attackers carted away eight M16 rifles, four glock pistols, five handheld radio units, two laptop computers, and P29,000 in cash.

Later, in a statement posted to social media, the NPA took credit for the attack, lauding their Napoleon Tumagtang Command and accusing the municipal police of being “lax” in the campaign against illegal drugs and illegal gambling.

Last week, Maasin was one of 15 Iloilo municipalities identified by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office as being “high-risk” for NPA attack./PLL, WDJ