Security up for Sinulog; military targets NPA rebs

SECURITY remains stringent for next year’s annual Sinulog celebration in Cebu City despite the stable peace and order climate in Cebu, Bohol province and most parts of Central Visayas.

Both the military’s Central Command (Centcom) and the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) said their security coordination with local police remains in effect during yesterday’s 4th quarter meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC).

Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 31st Division commander of Centcom, said Cebu is under Level 2 of their threat level advisory which means terrorist attacks are possible but unlikely to happen.

“We were able carry out its tasks in maintaining adequate physical pressure against the enemy complemented with intensified social pressure. This resulted in a generally peaceful area in Region 7,” Aying said.

But both the police and military confirm that they are monitoring Negros Oriental, which was recently reintegrated back to Central Visayas, for the presence of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

“Government forces should continually maintain a proactive stance in order to hamper any tactical offensives. This is primarily due to the proximity of (Negros Island) to other provinces with existing red areas,” the PRO-7 said.

Last July, Supt. Arnel Arpon, Guihulngan police chief, and five policemen were killed in an ambush staged by NPA rebels in Negros Oriental.