PNP claims insurgents not based in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN—Forty-three barangays of Pangasinan are still threatened by communist insurgency to dat — but not to worry, they’re just passing by, according to the Philippine National Police.

Senior Supt. Isagani Nerez, police provincial director, announced the New People’s Army incursions in border villages in a briefing Monday for the strategic planning conference of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) chaired by governor Amado Espino Jr.

He however said that it is not a problem because these barangays are “just a few” and are located near provincial boundaries.

At least 36 of the “threatened” barangays including 10 “influenced,” are located in the eastern part of the province and seven in the western part, he said.

Nerez revealed that the threat in eastern Pangasinan is coming from 15 members of Nueva Ecija Party committee who are just passing by but were monitored not doing any agitation, propaganda and expansion activities.

The threat in the western part of the province is coming from seven communist terrorists operating in Zambales, Tarlac and other provinces, who were reported doing some visitations but not for the purpose of recruiting members.

Nerez emphasized that unlike in other provinces, there are no CPP-NPA party committees operating in Pangasinan.

Most barangays in Pangasinan have a good information network which immediately relays messages to the police and Philippine Army once the rebels come to their areas, Nerez said.