ILOILO CITY – At least nine persons were killed in simultaneous raids conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) at what were believed to be New People’s Army (NPA) hotspots in Iloilo and Capiz on Wednesday, December 30.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda confirmed that nine persons were killed as different police units implemented 28 search warrants for illegal possession of firearms and explosives in joint operations on Wednesday, December 30.
A total of 16 persons were also arrested in mountainous villages of Calinog town, Iloilo province and Tapaz town, Capiz province.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of those killed in the police operations.
Meanwhile, Miranda said the denied the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Army, was not involved in the operations. He reiterated that these were purely police operations.
But there were unconfirmed reports of government soldiers under the 301st Infantry Brigade (301 IB) participating in the operations.
Based on information from PRO-6, the Western Visayas regional office’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-6) was the lead police unit. The CIDG was augmented by police personnel from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO), and the PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF).
But left-leaning groups cried foul that the operation was a form of harassment against the members of Panay Bukidnon, indigenous peoples (IPs) living along the mountainous villages of Central Panay Island.
The Tumandok nga Mangunguma nga Nagapangapin sa Duta kag Kabuhi (TUMANDOK) group alleged that government forces stormed into houses of local IP leaders early morning of Wednesday, and forcibly arrested some occupants.
Among those arrested was TUMANDOK Chairperson Roy Giganto, a former barangay captain (village chief) of Lahug village in Tapaz town, Capiz province.
TUMANDOK claimed that it’s former chairperson Marevic Aguirre, who is said to be municipal employee of Tapaz local government, was reported missing after the police operation.