PNP 7 ready for CPP fete

Communist rebels to celebrate founding anniversary on Monday Cops guards vital installations in the region

THE police will continue to strengthen their security in Central Visayas as the communist rebels celebrate the founding anniversary of their party on Monday, a day after Christmas.

Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, the Police Regional Office 7 director, said they will still be on full alert next week and continue to guard the vital installations in the region.

“We all should not relax,” he said.

He believes the communist party’s anniversary will be peaceful in the region because they have not monitored any presence of the insurgents.

The official, however, said they abide by President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of ceasefire with the communist and Moro rebels last Wednesday.

Duterte asked for a ceasefire from Dec. 23 until Dec. 27 and from Jan. 1 to Jan. 3.

The president, however, clarified the ceasefire does not cover criminals, including drug personalities, and terrorists.

He said the operations against the Maute group will continue, saying the terrorists had caused trouble in several villages and burned buses.

The group was also allegedly behind the Davao City bombing last September.

Despite the ceasefire announcement for the Christmas and New Year, Taliño said they will not lower their guards because they want Cebu and other provinces in Central Visayas from terrorists and other lawless elements.

He said there is no direct and specific threats from terrorist groups in the region.

“Naka- monitor pa rin tayo. Terrorists yan. Anytime, puwede sila gumawa ng kalokohan kung gusto nila (We are monitoring always. They are terrorists. Anytime, they can do anything harmful as they like),” said Taliño.