PRO-10 reminds cops to be always `alert’

AN official of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO10) has reiterated the marching orders for all police units and stations in the region to remain on alert always against the threats of unrest, especially from the communist rebels.

Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), said policemen in all stations should prevent being overran by the members of the New People's Army (NPA).

Gonda said the Maoist guerillas had already declared all out offensives against the government forces since May, this year.

“Ato pang Mayo naa na threat nga mohimo sila all out offensives against sa government forces busa andam na ta daan dili lang batok sa mga terorista kundili apil sa mga NPA,” Gonda said.

Gonda said should there be an instance that rebels would invade police stations, policemen must give a fair fight.

“We are still on full alert status so kinahanglan ang readiness sa kapolisan nga walay maatake nga police station kung naa man gani kinahanglan tagaan sa fair fight ang pag-atake,”Gonda added.

Policemen were also directed not to conduct surprise inspections in areas with NPA sightings without prior coordination from the police regional office and the intelligence division.

Gonda said police personnel were also reminded not to immediately respond in remote areas where NPA rebels are known to have been occupying as this could be a ‘modus' to easily attack and ambush police forces.

“Naa na kitay mga learned lessons nga tungod sa pagresponde nanga-ambush na hinoon. Dili gyud mag-responde especially sa gabii sa mga hilit nga lugar kundili magconfirm una sa LGU kung naay respondihan,” Gonda said.

Gonda also remind policemen not to be complacent with personalities pretending to be asking police assistance as this could be the bait of the enemies, and not to trust men in uniform who make-believe as members of the government forces.

“Dili lang magkumpyansa sa mga mangayo og assistance ug sa mga sakyanan nga moanha nga kuno gikan sa laing units pero wala mo kaila dili diretso mo-entertain,” Gonda added.

Gonda said all police units and stations were directed to rehearse the camp defense plan to prepare in attack scenarios and conduct security survey in areas vulnerable to attacks.

Gonda added policemen must continually coordinate with the local government units and other law enforcement agencies including the intelligence community. Policemen must also coordinate with the military troops in the area especially in the conduct of joint operations and security patrolling.

Gonda appeals to the people in the community not to tolerate lawless groups and report to authorities the extortion activities of the NPA.

Meanwhile, the military said they have long pre-positioned the troops in strategic locations for possible attacks of the NPA rebels.

Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said the soldiers are proactive in taking physical pressure against the NPA which forces the enemies to be on the run.

“Dapat lagi silang busy at on the run kasi pag-idle sila nakakapag-isip sila kaya dapat tumakbo sila from the military,” Martinez said.