By AARON RECUENCO
Director General Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), warned yesterday that he would immediately relieve and subject to administrative investigation any commander of the police station that would be overrun by communist rebels.
This, amid the escalated attacks of the New People’s Army (NPA) after President Duterte cancelled the peace talks and declared the group as a terrorist organization.
“We have an instruction about one-strike policy. If your police station was overran, the chief of police will be relieved and be investigated,” said Dela Rosa.
The policy, according to Dela Rosa, would apply to provincial directors if two police stations under the province are overrun and eventually to the regional directors if two of his provincial directors are relieved over rebel attack.
The Chief PNP even cited the case of a regional commander in Cagayan Valley Region which was relieved from his post after two of his provincial commanders were sacked due to NPA atrocities.
In order to prevent such scenario, Dela Rosa advised the police commanders especially in NPA infested areas to intensify intelligence-gathering and strengthen coordination with the military.
“I have given instructions to the Regional Directors, especially in areas where the presence of the military is very thin, to make regular coordination with the military,” said Dela Rosa.
He said that among the areas where the military presence was affected by the Marawi siege were Iloilo, Negros Island, and Cagayan Valley Region. It was recalled that the most of the soldiers assigned in the areas were deployed to Marawi City.
“They should also initiate anti-insurgency operations,” said Dela Rosa, citing what the Iloilo police did.
Unfortunately, the policemen were ambushed while on their way from anti-insurgency operation.
He also urged the police commanders to emulate the bravery shown by policemen from Busuangan town of Misamis Oriental who fought back and even drove away some 200 rebels who tried to overrun the police station.
“They stood their ground, the police station was not overran. I am proud of them,” said Dela Rosa.