SUPPORT OF RESIDENTS SOUGHT. Brig. Gen. Ariel Arcinas (left), Philippine National Police deputy regional director for administration, and Northern Samar PNP provincial director Col. Reynaldo dela Cruz (right) answer questions from the media during a press briefing at the police regional headquarters in Palo, Leyte on Wednesday (Oct. 16, 2019). De la Cruz said the support of the community is a big factor in wiping out insurgency in the poverty-stricken province. (PNA photo by Roel Amazona)
TACLOBAN CITY -- A top official of the Northern Samar police provincial office asked residents in the province to help convince New People’s Army (NPA) fighters to surrender to the government.
Col. Reynaldo dela Cruz, Northern Samar police provincial director, said on Wednesday the support of community members is a big factor in wiping out insurgency in the poverty-stricken province.
“We urge people from all sectors to help us in convincing rebels who are still in the mountains to yield to authorities for them to be reunited with their families and live a normal life,” de la Cruz told reporters in a press briefing.
Of the three provinces in Samar Island, Northern Samar is considered as the hotbed of the communist terrorist group due to its thick forest and poor road networks. High incidence of poverty makes people in upland communities vulnerable to the NPA's persuasion.
On Oct. 3, the military captured three NPA members after receiving reports of extortion activities being done by communist group members in the upland villages of Quirino, San Miguel, and San Francisco in Las Navas, Northern Samar.
The NPA members, who were apprehended were Rey Christian Sabado, Anton Mañoso and Edwin Piczon, and were carrying firearms, explosives, and subversive documents. The three are now in the custody of the Northern Samar police provincial office.
Before his arrest, Sabado, 22, had been planning to surrender to authorities, but he was threatened by comrades, according to dela Cruz.
On Oct. 12, three NPA members were killed in a gun battle with troops of the 81st Division Reconnaissance Company at Sag-od village in Las Navas town.
Dela Cruz said all policemen in Northern Samar are in full alert status to prevent possible attacks by NPA members.
“Northern Samar PNP is always in full alert status since Victoria, Northern Samar attack as a directive from our Regional Director, Brig. Gen. Dionardo Carlos,” dela Cruz added.
To recall, about 50 armed rebels attacked the Victoria municipal police station manned by 15 policemen on March 28, 2019.
The three-hour gun battle killed three rebels while four others were arrested. Only two policemen were slightly injured. (PNA)
