Cordi PNP chief orders security measures following NPA attacks

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Cordillera police director  Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez ordered all police chiefs in the region to intensify security following attacks launched by the New People’s Army against government forces.  

This, as police officers foiled an attempt by suspected New People’s Army guerrillas to ambush Army soldiers pursuing a group of rebels in Pinukpuk town in Kalinga Thursday.

The soldiers were reportedly running after a group led by Rodolfo Dumaguit alias Ka Pinpin, said Senior Insp. Francisco Ben, town police chief.

Ben said the local police provided support for the soldiers, who were tasked to prevent any attempt to disrupt the Kalinga Ulallim Festival in Tabuk City on Saturday.       

NPA guerrillas reportedly dug a road Feb. 7 at SopitUlog, SitioSidog, Barangay Limos and placed two Claymore mines to blast anticipated police or military convoys.

Local police and intelligence branch of Kalinga dug the mines, three lasting caps with wires, four pieces “AA” Energizer battery and a piece 9V Energizer battery placed in a box with electric wires connected to each other.

Lawmen found the mines and detonators around 9 a.m. that day. 

In another incident, Nerez said the NPA guerillas shot SPO3 Willy Degay who was conducting security measures for convoy that will bring home remains of PO3 Noel Golocan to Sagada at about 10:15 a.m. of Feb. 2 along the provincial road in SitioDugo, Poblacion.

Golocan was one of 44 members of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force who was killed by secessionist Muslim rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.  

“The NPA rebels’ actions against government troops showed their true nature as they were determined to conduct atrocity against the government, even against those not in combat operations,” he said. 

“The NPAs are taking advantage even in the situation wherein the whole PNP organization and the bereaved families and relatives are still mourning death of 44 commando troopers who were killed in Maguindanao encounter.”

Nerez said basing from reports, NPA guerillas also utilized innocent children of Tanulong Elementary School as their tools to advance their cause by leaving several subversive documents in a classroom early morning of Jan. 15.

To avoid similar incidents, Nerez ordered all Cordillera chiefs of police to be more vigilant, enhance security and conduct preventive operations in coordination with Armed Forces of the Philippines units against the NPA, lawless elements and criminal groups.

He said investigation is on regarding series of incidents to determine  identity of perpetrators so cases would be filed against them.

“The public is encouraged to join hands with authorities in tracking down perpetrators who carried out attacks by providing relevant and timely information,” he said.

Nerez said police could be reached through social media (Twitter-@PNPCordillera or Facebook Page- PioProcor, or through the following numbers: complaint referral -094765880 / 09174297628 or Regional Tactical Operation Center at (074) 422-5515; 09175302679/ 09285591669.