Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Negros slammed the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) for its recent announcement of a “heightened alert” against alleged armed groups in a statement released January 7, calling it “a baseless attempt to justify intensified crackdowns on progressive groups and expand corruption through fear-mongering.”
The BCPO claimed last January 2 that they were investigating a potential security threat in Brgy. Felisa, bordering Bacolod City and Murcia, involving two individuals they suspected of having ties to a militant group.
According to BCPO Station 10 Commander Capt. Sherwin Galupar, one a woman who allegedly visited Police Station 10 on December 29, 2024, and another man “acting suspiciously” near a private property on January 1, were linked to surveillance activities in the area.
However, both individuals were later released after no concrete grounds for detention were found, and they were handed over to barangay officials.
Despite this lack of evidence, the BCPO raised alarms, stating that the mere presence of these individuals was already a threat.
BCPO Chief Col. Joresty Coronica warned that any potential attack would meet with force, claiming that police personnel were on high alert.
In response, BAYAN Negros dismissed these claims as fear-mongering aimed at justifying further repression and surveillance of activist groups.
“[This] provides them with justification to demand larger budgets. They will fatten their own pockets while undermining the rights and freedoms of the people,” said Berlita Ante, BAYAN Negros deputy spokesperson.
BAYAN Negros linked the BCPO’s heightened alert to the Marcos Jr. administration’s shift of internal security operations from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“The AFP is now being redirected toward so-called external threats, aligning itself with U.S. imperialist interests by aiding in the intensifying reaction against China,” the group said.
“This shift does not mean less repression—it means more,” Ante said. “The PNP’s expanded role in counterinsurgency operations opens the door to further corruption as billions in counterinsurgency funds under NTF-ELCAC. […] More of the “general’s pork barrel” via E-CLIP and other counterinsurgency funds will be pored over at the barangay level in Bacolod City and other nearby urban areas.”
BAYAN Negros also pointed out the ongoing crackdown of protestors under BCPO Director Col. Joresty Coronica, including his enforcement of a “no permit, no rally” policy and water-cannoning of protesting drivers last year, is a precedent of these intensified attacks on progressive groups in Bacolod.
“The Marcos regime is manufacturing these threats to justify escalating repression. This fear-mongering is nothing new,” Ante said. “It’s a tool used to silence dissent and prevent people from exercising their democratic rights.”
Paghimutad 