Oplan Sauron

P(PRO-7) Director Debold Sinas has announced the -

Cebu- based police officers who were found to have been remiss in their duties during the Dec. 27 to 29 2018 Oplan Sauron in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. To recall, PRO-7 deployed more than a thousand policemen, supported by army troops, to conduct a massive police operation in Guihulngan City. Five alleged New People’s Army (NPA) assassins were killed while other alleged NPA members were arrested for illegal possession

subjects in Guihulngan City had been issued by Judge Soliver Peras, Regional Trial Court Branch 10 in Cebu City, on Dec. 20 to 21, 2018.

Chief Inspector Jomar Medil was relieved as head of the Cebu City Police Tourist Police Unit, and two police inspectors from the Regional Mobile Force were also removed. They are now facing administrative charges for abandoning their posts, absence without leave, and conduct unbecoming police officers for leaving Guihulngan City and returning to Cebu while the operations were still going on.

PO1s Melvin and Thomas Cañete of the Regional Police Safety Battalion were relieved for “cowardice and running away from their posts during the shootout” ( January 9).

The swift disciplinary action taken against the

theirs is not the example to follow.

However, seen from a different perspective, one might actually sympathize with the relieved NPA’s liquidation of soldiers and barangay officials, and harassment of police camps in Guihulngan City. While there are army troops in Guihulngan City, they are few and scattered, giving the NPA ample opportunity to terrorize the population. It is commendable that the PRO-7 director decided to launch a large-scale operation to neutralize these murderous elements.

However, the manner in which at least some of the search warrants were implemented may actually strengthen the NPA in the longer term, and galvanize support for it. After all, it was exactly the abuses committed decades ago that produced the hatred in the hearts of some Guihulnganons against men in uniform. Malacañang’s Executive Order 70 with its focus on addressing the root causes of insurgency, seeks to prevent a repeat of past mistakes. In fighting the bad guys, we have to show that we are not like them.

One consequence of Oplan Sauron is that students of some schools have been afraid to go out after hearing about what happened — the fatalities were the fathers of their schoolmates.

Before Oplan Sauron, some residents were already leaving Barangay Trinidad — a large village located at the center of Negros Island — because of the threats of the NPA, but now people — adults and children — have reportedly become scared of “the men in uniform” as well. The class absences resulting from a deteriorating peace and order situation should concern Education Secretary Leonor Briones, most especially since she is a Guihulnganon.

Karapatan attempted to conduct one of its so-called fact-finding missions but was told to secure a permit from Negros Oriental Gov.