PNP CHIEF Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr yesterday said four private armed groups (PAGs) have been dismantled in the PNP’s continuing campaign throughout the country.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Acorda said there are 33 other PAGs that are potentially operating, mostly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Three of the dismantled PAGs are in Central Luzon, particularly in Nueva Ecija, said Acorda.
The fourth one, he said, is in in Negros Oriental in the Central Visayas region.
“For the potential PAGs, we have 33 and majority are in BARMM,” said Acorda.
Acorda implied some of the remaining PAGs are in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions.
It was in Eastern Visayas, particularly in Samar, where three policemen died in a clash with an armed group last Tuesday. Seven members of the armed group were arrested.
“In totality, there is a reduction (in the number of PAGs) but still they still have the capability of inflicting casualties,” Acorda said of the remaining PAGs.
