The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) has not confirmed reports indicating that a ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was spotted in Bohol, but noted that these have been subjected to verification.

BPPO Community Relations Branch chief Supt. George Vale on Friday said that they continued to determine the veracity of the reported presence of Domingo Compoc and wife Marilyn Badayos, who have both been tagged as NPA commanders, in the province.

Vale during the Capitol’s weekly “Kita ug ang Gobernador” press briefing urged the public to immediately report suspicious individuals particularly those armed but not clad in government security forces uniform.

Meanwhile, the Central Visayas police command (PRO-7) directed its forces in Bohol to further tighten security in the province amid the purported entry of the suspected NPA leaders from Negros Oriental.

PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño ordered the implementation of stringent security at entry and exit points in the province particularly seaports as part of the police’s precautionary measures against armed groups.

However, Taliño also noted that the reports on the presence of communist rebels in the province were still being validated.

According to intelligence information, Compoc uses the aliases Eloy, Bords, Laloy, Dadong, Anoy, Teloy, Cobra, and recently, Laser and Journey.

Compoc has three standing warrants of arrests – one is for the charge of murder and direct assault against a person in authority issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 1 in Tagbilaran City dated November 8,1988.

The two other standing warrants of arrest are for charges of rebellion, both filed before RTC Branch 63 in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

One of them is dated August 6, 2009 and another dated June 9, 2011.

Concerned citizens who have information on the whereabouts of Compoc are advised to contact 0905-455-1543. (Rey Tutas)