The Philippine National Police (PNP) is beefing up its internal security operations by intensifying its intelligence works against the New People’s Army (NPA), which has threatened to carry more attacks against the government after President Duterte declared it as a terrorist group, along with its political arm, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
PNP Spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said last Sunday the intensified intelligence operations is part of the police’s proactive efforts in thwarting attempts by the rebels to expand their “terrorist activities” in the countryside.
The President, through Presidential Proclamation 374, has declared the NPA and the CPP as terrorist organizations.
Carlos said the PNP is prepared to address the threats posed by the NPA against “Communities, industries, private businesses and government installations.”
He said the PNP continues to maintain tactical capability through its national, regional and provincial maneuver forces to respond to contingencies arising from the activities of the CPP and the NPA.
This was the case, Carlos cited, when PNP units successfully repulsed two separate hostilities recently staged by the rebels in Labo, Camarines Norte and Binuangan, Misamis Oriental.
The PNP Spokesman warned that persons or entities providing financial and material support to the two groups can be held liable for serious violation of law either as conspirators, accomplices or accessories to terrorism.
Along with the intelligence operations, the PNP has reminded all of its units and offices of its standing order to sustain and beef up their law-enforcement and security operations against the rebels and other threat groups.
“Expect possible ambushes and attacks to be launched by the NPA. Preventive and prophylactic combat patrols in coordination with the AFP should be launched in addition to target hardening of all camps and vital installations,” the order stated.
“Offense is always better than defense…emphasize alertness, especially during administrative transport of personnel and others. Conduct social investigation not only for intelligence networking but to establish rapport. All personnel should know the community they are in,” it added.
The order, according to Carlos, is regularly reiterated to police offices and units on the ground and it has been reemphasized following the listing of the NPA and the CPP as terrorist groups.