THE Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that the movement of rebels from Zambales and recently traced in Mangatarem were already being closely monitored by the Armed Forces days before the armed encounter last Tuesday.

P/Col. Redrico Maranan, PNP provincial director, said the NPA’s entry into the province’s border, reported by barangay residents in the border, prompted the AFP’s 702^nd brigade, under Brig. General Audrey Pasia to launch an offensive.

“Natunton ang aktwal na kinaroroonan ng mga NPA sa pamamagitan ng real time reporting sa tulong ng mga kababayan natin sa barangay”, said Maranan.

The group encountered by the soldiers were from the Kilusang Larangang Gerilyo (KLG) TARZAM, operating in Tarlac and Zambales.

The group is known to operate in the tri-boundary of Pangasinan, Zambales and Tarlac.

While the province remains insurgency-free, Maranan said the threat of communist terrorists in the province continues as Pangasinan is surrounded by provinces infiltrated by NPA.

Meanwhile, NOLCOM Information Officer Major Mico Magisa said the entry of KLG TARZAM members in Mangatarem is still being investigated although it has received reports of recruitment activities.

The encounter site at Barangay Lawak Langka is four to five kilometers away from a community of indigenous people in the area.

The IP community reported the emergence of several people in the area, prompting the Army to move.

Magisa said the AFP is convinced that the KLG has not succeeded in the province because they have been denied of any support by the locals, and the LGU’s declaration of the NPA as persona non grata.

AFP has assured the provincial government that it would continue to monitor the area and to immediately respond to reports of threats. (Ahikam Pasion)

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