Police, army deny reports NPA going to sow terror in Cebu

OFFICIALS of the Philippine National Police in Cebu and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command (AFP Viscom) has denied insinuations that the New People’s Army (NPA) is going to attack the different police stations in Cebu.Capt. Kim Apitong, information officer of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, described the reports received by the media as fake news, saying it was just intended to draw attention for the public to panic.He clarified that the AFP intelligence community has not received any information about NPA rebels going to sow terror in Cebu.“With our information gatherings ay wala naman pa po na mga information directly stating na may mga plans na to attack any establishment or any patrol bases or camp in Cebu,” Apitong said.Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy director for operation of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, said they will still have to verify the reports received by the media through their intelligence unit.“We will relay this to the intelligence unit para ma check and of course while we are checking we will strengthen our security measures,” Sucalit said.Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operation of the Cebu City Police Office, for his part, said they would not take the rumors for granted and would rather implement protective measures in 11 police stations in the city to deter potential attackers.Parilla said some police personnel are conducting roving inspection in Cebu City’s mountain barangays to monitor the presence of NPA rebels in the area.The joint forces of the PNP and the AFP in Central Visayas are also looking into reports that some NPA rebels tagged as most wanted persons and are facing charges in Negros Oriental are taking shelter in Cebu.