Security men disarmed by NPA

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday revealed that a security agency may face charges following an incident in which communist rebels allegedly disarmed five private security guards in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

In a statement, Albayalde said that he had ordered acting director of the Civil Security Group Police Brig. Gen. Roberto Fajardo to initiate an investigation into the incident.

“The investigation seeks to look into possible administrative and operational lapses by the private security provider of this vital installation,” Albayalde said.

Fajardo initiated the investigation and recommended filing of appropriate charges if evidence warrants against AY-76 Security Specialists Inc. following the disarming by New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists of its security guards assigned at Minergy Power Corporation in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, on Monday, 19 August at about 6:30 a.m.

Police said rebels stormed Minergy Power Plant Ash Pond site in Sitio Bahusan and disarmed the security guards of their issued five AK-47 rifles including 17 magazines with several ammunition and hand-held radios.

The five security guards were on their way to their outpost when they were fired upon by a small band of NPA terrorists believed to be members of Sub-Regional Command 1 of the CPP-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.