MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar has ordered all police units to be on heightened alert for possible retaliatory attacks from communist rebels following the death of one of their alleged high-ranking officials, George “Ka Oris” Madlos.
Eleazar lauded the military’s effective internal security operations that led to the neutralization of Madlos, who was the commander and spokesman of the National Operations Command of the NPA, in an encounter in Impasugong, Bukidnon on Saturday, October 30.
“The PNP is one with our brothers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in curbing the lawless activities and atrocities of the communist rebels that bring fear and terror to our communities. The entire PNP hails this successful operation as a big blow to the CPP/NPA/NDF,” Eleazar said in a statement.
“Kasabay nito, ipinag-utos ko sa ating kapulisan na mas maging alerto sa posibleng retaliatory attacks ng mga rebelde upang ipaghiganti ang pagkamatay ng isa sa kanilang matataas na pinuno. Tinitiyak ko sa publiko na hindi namin ito hahayaan. Patuloy ang pakikipagugnayan namin sa AFP upang siguruhin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Initial reports said elements from the 403rd Infantry Brigade launched the operation after receiving information on the presence of rebels in Sitio Gabunan in Barangay Dumalaguing.
Allegedly, there were anti-personnel mines in the area, prompting soldiers to call for air support. State forces then engaged more or less 30 communist rebels in a firefight, which resulted in the death of Madlos and another rebel.
Despite differences in their beliefs on social issues, Eleazar has extended his condolences to the family of Madlos.
“Magkaiba man ang aming paniniwala tungkol sa pagtugon sa mga suliraning panlipunan ay personal kong ipinapaabot ang aking pakikiramay sa pamilya ni George Madlos o Ka Oris,” he said.
Eleazar said that Madlos’ death should serve as a warning to remaining communist rebels that the government would not stop in their operations against the CPP/NPA/NDF.
He also urged the remaining CPP-NPA-NDF leaders and members to surrender and avail of government programs so they could return to the mainstream of society and lead normal lives.
“Matagal na at patuloy ang ating pagkukumbinsi sa ating mga rebeldeng kababayan na magbalik-loob na sa pamahalaan at sa katunayan ay makailang beses na ipinaabot ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ang kagustuhang maipagamot si Ginoong Madlos matapos malaman na meron siyang iniindang problema sa kalusugan,” he said.
“Marami na sa ating mga kababayang rebelde na nagbalik-loob ang namumuhay na ngayon ng tahimik at normal at ito ay isang patunay lamang ng sinseridad ng pamahalaan na tapusin na ang problema sa communist insurgency,” he added.
The post PNP on heightened alert following slay of rebel leader ‘Ka Oris’ appeared first on UNTV News.