Philppine National Police (PNP) chief PGen Guillermo Eleazar ordered cops in Eastern Visayas to intensify their operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
Eleazar gave the order after the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army raided an NPA hideout in Dolores, Eastern Visayas, that the communist insurgency group used to manufacture anti-personnel mines or landmines.
The military operation resulted to the death of at least 19 communist rebels.
The PNP condemned the continuous use and manufacture of anti-personnel mines by the CPP-NPA rebels since such actions violate the International Humanitarian Law
"Alam naman ng mga rebeldeng komunista na labag ang paggamit ng mga ito sa International Humanitarian Law dahil sa pinsalang dulot nito sa mga inosenteng sibilyan," Eleazar said in a statement.
"Patunay lang na desperado at wala na talagang pakialam ang CPP/NPA kung may madamay man na sibilyan para lang palabasin na sila ay malakas pa kahit batid nilang paubos na ang kanilang puwersa," he added.
Eleazar also told all police units in Eastern Visayas to be on heightened alert so that they can thwart attacks by communist rebels against innocent civillians.
"Hindi tayo hihinto hangga’t hindi natin tuluyang napipigilan ang mga pag-atake at panggugulo ng mga rebeldeng ito sa ating mga komunidad," the PNP chief assured.
