Mindoro cops tighten security after NPA-Army clashes
CITY OF CALAPAN—Authorities heightened security in the towns of Abra de Ilog and Mamburao on Monday, days after the armed encounter between the government troops and the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area on New Year’s Day.
In a statement on Sunday night, police in Abra de Ilog appealed to the public to remain calm and vigilant as they vowed to enforce the law, adding that it would continue to “[respect] human rights, and [collaborate with] communities to preserve peace and stability” in the town and nearby areas.
“We strongly condemn terrorism that threatens lives, safety and public order,” said Police Capt. Felifran Mae Ello, officer in charge of the Abra de Ilog Municipal Police Station.
She added that police units were intensifying intelligence operations and strengthening coordination with local government units and other security agencies following the armed clashes on New Year’s Day.
The Occidental Mindoro Police Provincial Office also said it has stepped up its anticriminality campaign through community cooperation.
“Peace and order can only be sustained through collective effort and shared responsibility,” said Police Col. Timoteo Espiritu Jr., Occidental Mindoro police director, in a social media post, urging residents to report suspicious activities.
Protest march
On Monday morning, a group of residents, youth groups and members of indigenous peoples from Abra de Ilog staged a peace rally near the provincial capitol in Mamburao, calling for calm and safety in their communities.
Carrying placards condemning the presence of NPA rebels in their communities, the protesters held a brief program before marching through the streets.
Due to the peace rally, classes at the Occidental Mindoro National High School, also in the capital town of Mamburao, were suspended.
According to the Provincial Information Office, the class supension was ordered “to ensure the safety of students and school personnel.”
In a separate statement, Mamburao Mayor Glicerio “EK” Almero III said “village watchmen and local cops were deployed to ensure the orderly dismissal of students and to maintain peace and order in the area.”
Progressive human rights group Karapatan and the Kabataan party list condemned the military airstrike in Barangay Caracao, Abra de Ilog, on Jan. 1 despite the NPA-affiliated Communist Party of the Philippines declaring a unilateral ceasefire.
‘More fatalities’
In an advisory, the groups also reported that five civilians, including three children from indigenous Iraya Mangyan, were reported killed, and their mother injured, following the skirmishes between the NPA and the military. But the military has yet to validate the report.
The Army initially reported that a suspected NPA rebel was killed, while two government soldiers were wounded in the armed clashes.
According to Karapatan and Kabataan party list, the attack, conducted by the 203rd Infantry Brigade, involved four helicopters that dropped a total of 12 bombs over the community, with the aerial bombardment lasting about three hours.
The two groups condemned the operation, calling it a “gross violation of human rights” against local residents.
They also urged the public to support a fact-finding mission in Abra de Ilog, to investigate the incident.
Earlier, the 203rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Brigade, which is based in nearby Oriental Mindoro, reported that its troops engaged NPA fighters who allegedly fired firearms and an improvised explosive device.
Citing the difficult terrain, the military called in guided air support to prevent the group from regrouping.
Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo, commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, previously reiterated that the operation aimed to protect residents, with actions conducted according to rules of engagement.
