Bato: NPA’s ‘Sparu’ unit stepped up offensives vs. gov’t forces

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Thursday revealed that the infamous hit squad of the New People's Army (NPA), the "Sparu" unit, has "stepped up" its offensives.

According to Dela Rosa, Sparu, or Special Partisan Unit, boosted its operations against government forces after President Rodrigo Duterte terminated the peace talks with communist rebels last year.

"Nag-step up sila ngayon but then again sorry na lang sa kanila dahil mahirapan sila unlike sa situation nung early 80s wherein nahawakan talaga nila 'yung mga masa, lalung-lalo na 'yung mga slum areas, nahawakan nila," Dela Rosa said in a press conference.

"Pero ngayon mahirapan na sila dahil isang text lang may report na sila, hindi sila makapag-control ng isang lugar," he added.

The country's top cop said that the NPA stepped up the operation of its Sparu unit to prove that they are a "force to reckon with."

The unit, according to Dela Rosa, mostly operates in Mindanao particularly in Region X (Northern Mindanao), Region XI (Davao Region), Region XII (Soccsksargen) and Region XIII (Caraga). Its primary task is to "liquidate" its enemies, which include policemen and soldiers.

"Meron silang mga binabaril na mga pulis, sundalo, namamaril sila," Dela Rosa said.

Duterte had earlier warned soldiers against the resurgence of the Sparu unit, saying that they should remain on guard against the hit squad even if they are off duty and in their homes.

He also earlier said that he would consult the military before making a decision on the resumption of the peace talks.

Duterte terminated the peace talks last year through Proclamation No. 360.

A month later, he declared the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA as terrorist organizations. —KBK, GMA News