Briones: Fake news?

Some members of the media have received reports that members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, will attack different police stations in Cebu.I don’t know who these “harbingers” of doom are or where they got their information, but authorities, and by that I mean the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were quick to dismiss the reports.Actually, it was the military that categorically said it has not received any information that the NPA will terrorize Cebu. In fact, it described the information as a ploy to sow panic among the populace.The provincial police, for their part, are playing it safe, saying they need to verify, while their Cebu City counterparts said that they have deployed some personnel to conduct roving inspections in mountain barangays to monitor the presence of rebels in these areas.Hmmm.The last time I checked, Cebu as a whole has been rebel-free for quite some time now.The last news I encountered on this subject was when a couple from Tuburan surrendered their arms to Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia during her second term of office at the Capitol. And that was way back in 2009. Or was it in 2010? Either way, it doesn’t matter but it was a long, long time ago.So this latest development has got me wondering. After all these years, why now?Is it because of the elections? Or is it because of the people who are running in the elections? Or could I be wrong entirely as I have been in the past many, many times.And by the way, I am talking about national elections. In Cebu Province it seems the outcome is pretty set, although we all know it ain’t over till the fat lady sings but good luck on finding a chanteuse with an “unhealthy weight” on our shores. As for Cebu City, well, don’t get me started.But hey, this column is not about politics. At any rate, I should keep my mouth shut since I will not be voting in May. Someone was too hungover to register.So back to the subject of rebels allegedly planning an attack in Cebu.Well, the military and the police in the region did say that they are looking into reports that some NPA rebels who had been tagged as most wanted and are facing various charges in the neighboring island of Negros have sought shelter here.If that’s the case, then they probably want to keep a low profile and not call attention to themselves by targeting local law enforcement agents.I’m just saying.