PNP: NPA plans Davao attacks during SONA

Communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels are planning to carry out bombings in Davao City during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte on Monday, police said yesterday, echoing earlier reports from the military.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the police Intelligence Group monitored plans by the NPA to carry out attacks in Davao City, Duterte’s hometown.

He said police officers are preparing for any effort to terrorize Davao before the SONA. Dela Rosa urged the public to cooperate with authorities and report to the police any suspicious situation or individuals to prevent untoward incidents.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Oscar Albayalde said he tapped Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar as the ground commander of the team securing the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City during the SONA.

“Our security preparations would be like the previous SONAs of past presidents. The militants would be barred from coming near the Batasan complex,” Albayalde said. Director Camilo Cascolan, head of the PNP Directorate for Operations, NCRPO operations chief Senior Superintendent Rhoderick Armamento and representatives from the Presidential Security Group and the Presidential Management Staff would meet today in Camp Crame to come up with a comprehensive security plan for the SONA.

When asked if he will still support the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines – the NPA is its armed wing – despite the atrocities the rebels committed, Dela Rosa said the PNP is still supporting the peace negotiation with the left.

However, he noted that if NPA rebels stage attacks, the PNP would have to fight back.