By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) on Wednesday confirmed the presence of a potential private armed group (PAG) in the province.
Colonel Bayani Razalan, Iloilo police chief, said the group had previously been tagged as a criminal group.
“Bakit potential? Kasi they’re not active as a PAG but they might be utilized for election purposes,” Razalan said.
He did not elaborate on the identities of the group members but noted they are from the first and second districts of Iloilo province.
Razalan assured the public that the police are on top of the situation.
“We are constantly monitoring their activities. We will see to it that they couldn’t launch any threat,” he said.
The IPPO is also conducting monitoring operations against remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Razalan said their focus is on areas bordering Iloilo and Capiz provinces.
“But we’re winning the ground. There’s no enemy-initiated encounter. All operations are military-focused activities spearheaded by the Philippine Army,” he said.
Razalan added that they have not detected any NPA remnants in Southern Panay.
