NEWSFLASH

NEGROS TROOPS ON ALERT VS NPA ATTACKS; REBELS RAID DAVAO DEL NORTE TOWN HALL

BACOLOD CITY, September 25, 2002 (STAR) Police and military units in Negros Occidental are on their toes these days amid reports that communist guerrillas are planning to attack vital government installations, particularly in the cities of Talisay and Himamaylan.

The New People’s Army (NPA), according to intelligence reports, is targeting, for instance, the police station in Himamaylan, about 82.9 kilometers from this city, and remote police and military outposts.

Negros Occidental police director Vicente Ponteras said they are still confirming the intelligence reports.

But Lt. Col. Jon Aying, commander of the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion, admitted they have been on alert in southern Negros in the past several weeks.

Last week, the 6th Regional Mobile Group in Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City, 7.3 kilometers from here, braced itself for a possible NPA attack.

Ponteras said the reported NPA threats to Talisay and Himamaylan may just be diversionary tactics as the insurgents strike on other areas.

Recently, NPA guerrillas killed four Scout Rangers in Leyte and two policemen in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

Authorities confirmed that the NPA has expanded in southern and northern Negros with the creation of so-called preparatory front party committees. The southern group is reportedly led by Ricky Agrava.

Meanwhile, police said the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbo ng Bayan (RHB), a communist breakaway faction, has been recruiting new members, including minors from Davao whom they reportedly promised jobs in Negros Occidental. — Antonieta Lopez

***Rebels raid Davao Norte town hall, hold mayor hostage By Edith Regalado The Philippine Star 09/25/2002

DAVAO CITY — New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas raided the town hall and police station of Maco, Davao del Norte at about 7 last night, carting away 21 long firearms, after holding the town’s mayor hostage.

Reports said Maco Mayor Miller Alaba was visiting Barangay Mapaang, some eight kilometers from the town proper, when about 20 guerrillas led by a certain Ka Lando of the NPA’s Front 20 Committee, accosted him.

About four to six of the rebels commandeered Alaba’s vehicle, and taking the mayor hostage, drove to the town hall.

Reports said the policemen at the municipal hall even saluted Alaba as his vehicle passed by.

The rebels then sprang out of the vehicle, and proceeded to raid the town hall and the municipal police station, carting away a total of 21 firearms.

The raid was swift and no gunshots were fired, the reports said.

The rebels took Alaba in their escape, and abandoned him inside his vehicle in Barangay Mapaang.

Elements of the Army’s 701st Infantry Battalion were fielded in Maco town, which is adjacent to Tagum City, after the incident.

Meanwhile, police rescued an Austrian resort owner briefly held by six men who were trying to kidnap him in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur last Saturday.

The six men had lured Ronald Bheyer with a false offer to sell him gold bars.

Bheyer, who owns a resort in Davao del Sur, agreed to the offer but secretly tipped off the police on the transaction. — With AFP