We'll reduce NPA threat
in Central Visayas: Luna

Maj. Gen. Cardoso Luna, newly-installed commanding general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command, has vowed to reduce the threat posed by the New People's Army to an "inconsequential level through simultaneous in-depth operations" in the Visayas region.

Luna said the recent pronouncement of President Arroyo to crush insurgency before the end of her term should be aggressively realized, and this is also viewed with utmost urgency by AFP chief Hermogenes Esperon.

He said the New People's Army in the Visayas region has maximized to their advantage the use of guerilla and terrorist techniques against soldiers and hapless individuals and groups as well, complimented by their ability to also use deception and treachery.

Luna who replaced Lt. Gen. Abraham Bagasin as CENCOM chief on Aug. 2, said in his command guidance, a copy of which was secured by DAILY STAR, that "My intent is to dictate our terms over the enemy". "We should keep them always on the run and off-balanced", Luna said.

CENCOM covers the islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Samar and Leyte.

He said the CPP-NPA in the Visayas avoid legitimate encounters and hit government troops when least expected, use improvised landmines in ambushes, liquidating unwary military and police personnel and militiamen, extorting substantial amounts from prominent individuals, big firms or corporations and wearing Army and police uniforms during raids.

Upon assuming the CENCOM post, Luna issued guidelines for military commanders in the Visayas, that include strengthening of CAFGU battalions, implementation of a long range patrol concept and conduct of regular patrols, effective unit leadership, activation of Civil Military Operations Company and task group, and tapping the services of military reservists, police and local government units as well.

He also advised commanders to comply with the Army policy of removing the bolts of firearms of off-duty personnel, to make them operationally useless if seized by insurgents.

"The momentum of our gains over the enemy is often negated by their ideological, political and organizational works and propaganda," Luna also noted.

"Loyalty is adherence to the chain of command. There is no other interpretation of this effect. Let us rally together for solidarity, commitment to duty and to espouse Team AFP," he added.*GPB

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BCPO apprehends
9 for vagrancy

Nine persons, eight of them women, were arrested by Precinct 1 policemen at downtown Bacolod Saturday, for violation of Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code, or vagrancy.

Precinct 1 policemen led by Chief Insp. Jimmy Fortaleza apprehended Jerry Rasay Abolan, 22, of Sta. Fe Subdivision, Brgy. Granada; Jane Apillo Dellano, 21; Marilou Mahilum Tabahonda, 29, of Brgy. 2; May Fajardo, 36, of Purok Cabugwason, Brgy. Mansilingan; and Joan Biyag Awero, 22, of Purok Pag-asa, Fortune Towne, Brgy. Estefania, all in Bacolod City, police reports said.

Also apprehended were Arlen Alfonso Gonzaga and Joane Bordas Makilan, both 23, of Purok Santol, Brgy. Mandalagan; May Vargas Cordova, 22, of Purok Cabugwason, Brgy. Mansilingan, and Miriam Gatoteo Rio, 24, of Purok Mars, Brgy. 39, also in Bacolod, police reports said.

Meanwhile, photographer Philip Loyola, 44, of Regent Pearl Subdivision, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City filed a complaint before Precinct 1 against three men who allegedly hurled stones at his photo shop at Araneta-Singcang streets at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Loyola identified them as Marco Calisad Romay, 19, brothers Mark and Marvin Dagandanan, who he claimed as created alarm and scandal in front of his establishment, police reports said.

Salome Hiponia Lazarte and Analie Palermo, both of Brgy. 35, also lodged alarm and scandal complaints at Precinct 1 against Julius Valle who reportedly attempted to hit them with empty bottles of beer. Fortunately, they were not hit, police reports also said.*DMG

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Camp Crame holds confab
on gender and development

The Gender and Development Trainer's Training Course on Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Planning was conducted by Camp Crame at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City, a press release from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office said.

Speakers were Senior Insp. Lulibeth Juluat and PO3 Catherine Laggui, from the Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development Mobile Training Team of Camp Crame, in coordination with Nelia Sevidal and Irene Fellizar of the Lunduyan organization based in Quezon City.

Four members of the Bacolod City Police Office and 63 NOPPO troopers attended the course.

Guests at the closing rites were Liane Garcia, provincial social welfare and development officer, police city director Pedro Merced, provincial director Charles Calima, Jr., PNP administrative officer Ranulfo Demiar, and Romeo Baldevarona of the Commission on Human Rights, the press release added.*

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