By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In response to allegations by the New People’s Army (NPA) and other militant groups reporting Martial Law was declared in the northern portion of Negros, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) denied the claims.

Authorities said the claims were made to disrupt ongoing investigations, calling it “fake news” disseminated as a means to depict the police and military as a “threat.”

“To the public, please be mindful of the information being disseminated,” law enforcement stated. “A responsible citizen filters news, knows the facts, and acts accordingly.”

The NPA Roselyn Pelle Command earlier condemned a “pseudo-Martial Law” in northern Negros, claiming the police and army were violating the human rights of local residents over the past two days.

They accused the Philippine Army 79th Infantry Battalion of ransacking homes at Purok Hoodam, which is located at Sitio Bideo in Barangay Codcod, San Carlos City.

The rebel group also accused the military of coercing 13 civilians to claim they were NPA members, with five reportedly transported to a military camp./DGB, WDJ