Authorities in Negros Oriental province are keeping tabs on remnants of a dismantled private armed group who may return for the May elections or personal reasons, an official said on Wednesday.
Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, revealed that at least six members of the disbanded group are believed to have fled to another part of the island after their operations were shut down years ago.
These individuals are wanted for their alleged involvement in shooting incidents, including some that were election-related, Polinar said.
They are also being investigated for potential links to the assassination of former Gov. Roel Degamo on March 4, 2023, although Polinar refused to provide further details.
The police, in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation, are monitoring the suspects’ movements, with Polinar assuring the public that their return to Negros Oriental would not go unnoticed.
Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities have not received reports of armed men or guns-for-hire arriving in Negros Oriental for the mid-term polls.
Entry and exit points including airports, sea ports, and land borders are secured by law enforcement authorities to ensure that no lawless elements can enter the province, Polinar said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army has assured the public that the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, no longer poses a threat to the conduct of the May 12 midterm elections, an Army official said on Monday.
Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said all three guerilla fronts of the NPA in Negros Island have been dismantled and “we see no serious threat from the Communist terrorist groups.”
While some NPA remnants are still active, recent military engagements in November and January led to the deaths of nine suspected rebels, forcing the insurgents into a defensive stance, especially in Negros Oriental.
Although certain areas in Negros Oriental were previously classified under code orange due to the presence of CTGs, Escanillas clarified that they were associated with past elections when the guerilla fronts were yet to be dismantled.
Escanillas said the Army has not detected extortion activities targeting candidates in the region’s upcoming elections.
The Philippine Army has deployed troops to assist the Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police in ensuring security, including manning checkpoints and enforcing the gun ban during the election period from Jan. 12 to June 11.
Troop deployment will continue to adapt based on the evolving security situation. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
