By Jen Baylon

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) will investigate the alleged presence of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) at Barangay Tinampaan in Negros Occidental’s Cadiz City, following reports that some of them are conducting recruitment activities in the locality.

NOCPPO director, Colonel Rainerio de Chavez, said yesterday the group allegedly claimed that they were members of the MNLF.

“We conducted initial validation and record checking, and [we] are now doing further investigation,” he said.

An initial police investigation showed that the group came from a barangay in Cadiz, but they were expelled after the residents filed a petition.

“We don’t see any threat to the security of the people of Cadiz,” he said.

De Chavez said the group had been in the city since 2022.

The group had been establishing a community on private property.

“We don’t see any threats. In fact, they are staying in an area owned by [a bank],” he said.

“The ongoing construction [of a mosque] was not given a permit by the local government. A security officer of the bank is already in talks,” he added.

Meanwhile, NOCPPO spokesperson, Lt. Abegael Donasco, said they are currently verifying the reports which indicated that the individuals were seen wearing military uniforms, and allegedly engaging in recruitment activities, promising salaries and recruitment fees to potential recruits.

On the other hand, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. reassured residents that there was no cause for alarm regarding the reported MNLF’s presence.

“Cadiz remains very peaceful and there is no cause for alarm,” Escalante said./JB, WDJ