Army boosts ties with PNP in fight against insurgents

By Ronron
September 19, 2007

The Philippine Army is strengthening further its ties with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the fight against insurgency following the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the military to intensify its “defenses against destruction and killings by enemies of the State.”

“We will further strengthen our security arrangements with the PNP and other security forces in order to guarantee the protection of vital installations, businesses and their government offices and personalities against the wicked plans of the NPA (New People’s Army),” Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano told Camp Aguinaldo reporters Wednesday.

The PNP already has an agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as regards its role in internal security operations following the signing in June last year by Arroyo of Executive Order 546, allowing the PNP to take active role in fighting the NPA.

On Tuesday, Arroyo said government security forces should intensify its operations against the NPA and other lawless elements to help create an environment conducive for business and investments.

Yano said the directive of the President should not be viewed to mean that the government is under serious attack by communist terrorists, but rather, to ensure that peace prevails.

“The Army has been constantly on the offensive in defeating the NPA’s. We continuously conduct combat operations and information gathering so as not to give the terrorists a chance to harm the Filipino people,” he said.

The Army chief said the military has not been remiss in securiting vital installations and facilities all over the country, with proper coordination with the PNP in different localities.

“Actually, there is a close coordination and partnership between the military, the police and the potential (victims), the businessmen themselves. So, it’s a team effort,” Yano said.

Just last Monday, two cellular sites of Globe Telecommunications were burned by suspected NPA rebels in Camarines Sur province.

According to a police report, the first incident happened at the cellsite located in Barangay Batang, Pamplona town at around 9pm. The cost of damages is pegged at P150,000.00.

Less then an hour later, or at 9:50 pm, the cellsite at Delfin’s Compound in Barangay Tinangguihan, Libmanan town was also set on fire by the same group of rebels. Cost of damages is estimated at P1.6 million.

The NPA has been attacking Globe facilities over the last few years due to the company’s alleged refusal to give in to the movement’s extortion demand./DMS