A Philippine Army official on Friday denied the alleged resurgence of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bohol.
According to Gen. Arnulfo Matangguihan, commander of the army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, there have been no supporting information which proved claims that the NPA has reestablished itself in the province.
He said during the “Kita ug ang Gobernador” program that Bohol and other provinces in the region, Cebu and Siquijor, remained insurgency-free.
Several unverified reports surfaced and were circulated in social media indicating that NPA rebels docked at the town of Mabini and were planning to attack a police station in the province.
Matanguihan who had denied the reports assured the public that each information on sightings of armed groups is subjected to verification by security forces.
For his part, Gov. Edgar Chatto urged residents to remain vigilant and participative in keeping the province safe by reporting suspicious activities and personalities in the province.
He noted that vigilance was a key factor in thwarting activities planned by the Abu Sayyaf Group in the province.
On Thursday, around 30 suspected NPA rebels allegedly attacked a police substation in Amulung town, Cagayan province.
Authorities in the town told ABS-CBN News that the armed men took away four M-16 rifles and two standard-issue 9mm pistols. The armed men also reportedly torched a patrol vehicle before fleeing. (Rey Tutas)