Members of the Civilian Volunteer's Organization being used as a "force multiplier" by the police in its law enforcement campaign and internal security operations, will be stripped of detachment duties, a ranking police officer said.

This was the aftermath of a successful raid staged by the New People's Army on a police outpost recently in Escalante City. Senior Supt. Charles Calima said yesterday.

He also said CVOs assigned in police outposts will be replaced by regular members of the military and Philippine National Police, to further strengthen the defenses of detachments in Sagay and Escalante cities.

The police lost nine firearms, including an M60 machine gun, to the NPA who raided the Malasibog police outpost in Escalante City, that was manned by two policemen and eight CVOs, on March 19.

Calima, accompanied by Supt. Rene Aspera, 6th RMG director, and other military and police officials, yesterday met with local chief executives and barangay leaders of Sagay led by Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, and discussed the strengthening of police outposts in the city's remote areas.

In Sagay City alone, the 1st Provincial Mobile Group has four police outposts located in Brgys. Puey, Divina Colonia, Siwahon and Luna, while the Andres Bonifacio outpost is under the supervision of the city police station, police records show.

Supt. William Señoron said barangay captains of Sagay registered no opposition to the pull-out of CVOs from police outposts in their barangays, so long as there will be replacements for them.

Calima also said the Malasibog detachment was already deactivated.

The pursuit operations being waged by combined military and police forces against the NPA rebels who raided the Malasibog detachment, remained negative up to yesterday.

Senior Inspector Argel Ancheta, commander of the 38-man police striking force, said the rebel raiders are believed to have merged with civilians to avoid detection.

Calima also allayed fears of barangay chief executives that there will be a security vacuum in their areas. In fact, he said, police outposts in their barangays will be further strengthened.

He also bared plans of some local government units to organize a special CAFGU company in northern Negros.

The military classifies the Malasibog area among the NPA infiltrated barangays in northern Negros.*GPB

back to top