The Philippine National Police has confirmed the sightings of at least 20 armed men Thursday, in Sitio Danawan, Barangay Manluminsag, La Libertad, Oriental Negros.

The police was alerted about the presence of the armed men believed to be members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army operating in the hinterlands of the first district.

La Libertad chief of police, Inspector Oscar Tan, and his operatives were immediately dispatched to track down the fatigue-wearing individuals reportedly with high-powered firearms.

Residents told them that the armed men withdrew towards Barangay Mabunga in Guihulngan town early yesterday morning.

Tan said he was supposed to attend a command briefing conducted by PNP regional commander, Sr. Supt. Silverio Alarcio at the provincial command in Agan-an, Sibulan when reports that the armed men were about to attack the La Libertad municipal hall came.

It also reached the 61st Infantry Battalion headed by Lt Col. Normal Flores who ordered his men to scour the area. On March 9, seven people were killed, including Aya Barangay Captain Lydio Baylon, in an ambush in Maluminsag and Mandapaton areas, in La Libertad for which the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the NPA had claimed responsibility. It claiming that Baylon had committed crimes while still a paramilitary member.

Meanwhile, Alarcio was briefed by police field commanders in Oriental Negros on how to determine areas to be declared as election hot spots.

For now, he said, some are being considered as areas of concern due to intense political rivalry, but did not elaborate.*JG

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