Sr. Supt. Harris Fama, the newly designated OIC of the Philippine National Police in Negros Oriental, disclosed Wednesday he has deployed two uniformed police to secure a resort in Dauin town following an alleged arson attempt.
An initial police report said that a security guard on duty of the Sea Dream Resort in Masaplod Sur, Dauin saw two unidentified men going inside Rooms 2 and 3 near the swimming pool around 1:30 a.m. Monday.
The security guard, identified as Renoir Gonzales, trained his flashlight on the two, who then fired at least four times at him with a gun that appeared to be used with a silencer before they fled on foot towards the beach before disappearing out of sight, the police report said.
Gonzales had fired back at the suspects but unfortunately his firearm had jammed.
Recovered from the location of the incident were three cartridges and a live round of unidentified caliber and a bag that contained two bottles containing flammable liquid that appeared to be crude incendiary devices.
Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Fama also disclosed that his office is also validating reports of text messages that are being circulated regarding alleged extortion activity targeting resorts.
A resort owner had, in fact, reported to the police having received a text message that carried the name of the New People’s Army, warning that if he failed to pay them the money they demanded, they would burn down his business establishment.
The text message also instructed the resort owner to make the payment via courier service.
The resort owner also alleged that the police had told him the text message was a hoax.
However, Sr. Supt. Fama assured that whether real or not, the police are giving this attention as anybody could be just be using the name of the NPA.
But, Fama also announced that the police and the military are also vigilant over the possibility the NPA would demand the payment of so-called permit-to-campaign fees from political candidates seeking election this May.
So far, the government security forces in Negros Oriental have not confirmed any such activity by the NPA. (PNA)
