W. Visayas PNP on Heightened Alert Following Arrest of CPP/NPA Official

Iloilo City (PNA) — Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) Director Chief Supt. Bernardo Diaz has directed all police stations in Western Visayas to be vigilant and to stay alert in the wake of the capture on Saturday of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Panay Regional Party Committee Secretary General Ma. Concepcion “Concha” Araneta Bocala.

Diaz’s order came after receiving reports from the field that rebels loyal to Bocala were hatching plans to stage major attacks on police outposts in Panay to retaliate for her arrest by the combined force of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Army Intelligence group.

According to police and military records, Bocala holds the distinction of being the highest-ranked CPP official in Panay Island. An area of concern of the directive is the province of Capiz , which is believed to be a sanctuary of New People’s Army units (NPA) albeit their ranks have been depleted to a considerable degree owing to desertions by members taking advantage of the government’s aggressive livelihood programs, the PRO-6 said.

In a related development, 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army Spokesman Maj. Ray Tiongson hailed Bocala’s capture saying it was a major blow to the CPP hierarchy, and describing it as a turning point in the administration of justice to numerous Panay victims killed by rebels allegedly on the instructions of the lady rebel. (PNA) RMA/ELTORRECAMPO/CBF