The Police Regional Office announced last week said it is investigating 25 left-leaning groups based in Baguio as part of its anti-insurgency efforts in the highlands.
“I gave orders to conduct background checks on all left-leaning groups in Baguio City because I want to know if they are operating legally and if they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission,” PRO-Cor Director B/Gen. R’win Pagkalinawan Pagkalinawan said.
He said PRO-Cor would also check on the composition of the groups such as their board of directors and other leaders.
“Iyan ang effort natin. Sa korte na ang labanan ngayon para doon na lang maghaharap-harap,” he said.
Pagkalinawan did not name the groups but said his command is investigating the activities of these groups, which he alleged are being used as legal fronts by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.
He denied red-tagging any group in the region.
Red-tagging is linking legitimate progressive groups to the underground movement.
He said based on their record from January to November 2020, the police arrested two ranking members of the NPA and recorded three deaths from the NPAs during police operation.
Also, around 31 NPA members and 68 militia ng bayan or supporters have surrendered along with 42 firearms as part of the government’s continuing anti-insurgency operations.
Pagkalinawan said authorities attributed the surrender of NPA rebels and its supporters to the growing support of the community to the government’s efforts against insurgency. – Ofelia C. Empian
