PNP, AFP to identify, dismantle private armed groups nationwide

THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) will be working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to identify, track down and dismantle all private armed groups in the country.

This was emphasized by PNP Spokesperson, Col. Redrico Maranan, who said the consolidation of police and military forces is in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order following the series of high-profile attacks on local executives, including two governors, including the recent assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

“We will be working with the AFP on this, to intensify the disbandment of private armed groups,” he said in an interview on Tuesday.

Maranan said they will come up with a list of political hotspots in the country where attacks on local officials are rife.

The PNP spokesperson said implementation will be nationwide and comes immediately after these hotspots are pinpointed.

On Monday, PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., issued a directive to all police commanders to step up the assessment of critical areas in the country where attacks can likely occur.

“There were already critical areas that were identified during elections. So let us not wait for the election period for us to be strict on the implementation of security measures,” he said.

“Our police units in the field should start assessing their respective jurisdiction, if there is a need to implement checkpoints and at the same time, they should always communicate with the local officials as to where they would be going so that security will be provided in their destinations,” he added.

As this developed, the PNP will de deploying more personnel from its Special Action Force (SAF) to Negros Oriental province to help maintain peace and order as the pursuit operations continue against the perpetrators behind Degamo's slay.

At least eight other people were killed in the March 4 attack.

Azurin said the deployment is part of the measures to contain further violence in the province.

“We are sending additional SAF troopers to be part of the peacekeeping force in Negros Oriental,” the PNP chief said. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)