Police intensify monitoring in Ormoc, Leyte

ORMOC CITY - A top police official has ordered to launch intelligence-driven operations in Leyte following reports that several armed groups were sighted in some outskirt villages in the province recently. Senior Superintendent Ramil Ramirez of the Regional Public Safety Battalion said the operations will use a maximum utilization of Barangay Intelligence Network System (Bins).

On September 26, unidentified group of approximately 25 men and women, who were armed with high-powered guns, were sighted at the vicinity of Fattening Compound, a kilometer away from Mahayag village. In Javier, Leyte, nine unidentified persons armed with high-powered guns were seen in Guindapunan and Karaye villages at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, in September 29. The residents said the group asked for food and afterwards left to unknown direction.

Police authorities said that at 11 a.m. of September 25, about 10 unidentified persons armed with high-powered firearms were spotted in different barangays of this city, particularly in Sumad River in Quezon Jr. heading toward the hilly mountain of Kangka Yangkob in Mahayahay. They were believed to be members of New People's Army (NPA) and suspected to have established a camp in the area.

The information was the result of intensified Bins that the police and military have deepened their measures to pre-empt or negate any violent activity of the enemy. Colonel Rafael Valencia, the 802nd brigade commander, said that he is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"There is continuous coordination with the PNP and we have proper coordination in taking actions to address the threatening situation. At this early part of barangay election, we do our best to protect the community," Valencia said.