BAYOMBONG, Nueva VizcayaGov. Carlos Padilla has extended the ban for tourists planning to visit the world-class Capissaan Cave system in barangay Capissaan in Kasibu town here.
Padilla announced this after Philippine Army officials confirmed the presence of New People’s Army rebels in the upland barangays of Kasibu including Capissaan.
“We are extending the ban to ensure the safety and prevent local and foreign tourists from being abducted or kidnapped during their visit in the threatened barangay of Capissaan,” Padilla said.
Military officials announced the insurgency assessment during the joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council at the Pasalubong Center in this town.
Padilla also encouraged the council members to responsibly disseminate the ban to warn tourists on the present peace and order situation in the province.
Col. Fer Janan Razalan, commander of the army’s 84th Infantry Batallion based in San Jose City and covering the southern towns of Nueva Vizcaya, said most of their soldiers have been deployed in the upland villages of Kasibu, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur and Alfonso Castaneda towns.
Communist rebels have been carrying out recruitment, dialogues, foraging, food transport and acquisition, harboring, ambuscades, rearming and other movement in these areas, Razalan said.
This month alone, three encounters between the communist rebels and the Army occurred in n Kasibu, Dupax del Norte and Alfonso Castaneda. The first skirmish had zero casualties, but the second led to the death of four soldiers and injury to another, and the third claimed the lives of nine NPA rebels.
The ongoing military operations have affected close to 2,000 residents, who sought refuge in nearby barangay halls, churches and schools, prompting the local government and national government agencies to provide assistance.
“Some of these internally displaced persons have been assisted and returned safely to their homes. Others are still staying in evacuation centers due to the on-going military operations,” said Kasibu Mayor Alberto Bumulo Jr..
Bumolo thanked the PPOC and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council members for assisting their constituents.
The mayor asked the military to consider the establishment of a Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units in strategic areas of Kasibu town to prevent the entry of communist rebels in the upland barangays.
Gabriel Marcelo, acting Alfonso Castaneda mayor, also asked the PPOC to provide relief goods for villagers displaced during the recent encounters in their municipality.
“We are hoping these relief assistance will arrive in our municipality since many of our IDPs have been affected and in need of these aid,” he said.
Military officials said relief efforts had stopped due to security risks from active rebel movements in the area.