BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO – Despite facing allegations of ties to the New People’s Army (NPA), the barangay captain of Igdaluyon, Igbaras secured his third term in the recently concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Barangay Captain Susanito Talibo was one of the 65 election candidates alleged to have connections to communist rebels.
According to Jeffrey Celiz, a consultant for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Talibo is a prominent figure within the NPA and is also associated with the militant cause-oriented group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.
His son John Eric also allegedly died in an encounter between rebels and government troops in Barangay Tagsing, Leon, Iloilo on July 29, 2023.
Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said a case has been filed against Talibo by the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict for alleged violations of the Anti-Terrorism Law.
On Oct. 24, flyers distributed by unidentified individuals circulated in the city and province of Iloilo. The flyers discouraged voting for Talibo and six others, citing their alleged connections to communists.
In response to the allegations, Elmer Forro, the secretary general of Bayan-Panay, said in a radio interview on Oct. 28 that they plan to file a complaint against Celiz.
Forro accused Celiz of endangering the lives of election candidates and associating them with rebels without basis. (With additional details from Bombo Radyo Iloilo)/PN
