By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Military and law enforcement in Negros Occidental are preparing for possible New People’s Army (NPA) attacks after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ordered tactical offensives nationwide in opposition to the recent extension of Martial Law in Mindanao, along with the anticipated celebration of the organization’s 50th founding anniversary on December 26.

Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Colonel Benedict Arevalo released a statement saying he is maintaining his directive for troops to attack before rebels strike.

He pointed out, there is nothing new with regard to the CPP as the Philippine Army in Negros is always on alert.

“The order [from] the CPP to the NPA to attack government forces confirms the fact that the CPP, including their legal front, the National Democratic Front (NDF), are in cahoots with the NPA,” he said.

Arevalo reminded Negrenses to condemn not only the NPA but also the CPP and NDF, explaining, they are “trying to hide under the cloak of legality as they undermine society, including the government.”

“They are using the law against the government to justify their activities, [which] are actually violating the rule of law, and they are getting inside the government to destroy it from within,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) confirmed an order was issued by NOPPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., for all police stations to intensify implementation of enhanced management police action and for station commanders to personally supervise the conduct of target-hardening measures and offensive combat operations in the event of a possible NPA attack.

“Fortify and implement security measures of all subordinate units and ensure [the] alignment of respective provincial mobile forces that could support territorial units, particularly those identified [as] high-risk and vulnerable to enemy attack,” he added./DGB, WDJ