ILOILO City – The New People’s Army (NPA) was behind the assassination of three DyFM Bombo Radyo broadcasters and the kidnapping of the radio network’s owner, businessman Rogelio Florete in the 1980s, according to the “star witness” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, former Ilonggo activist Jeffrey Celiz.
He challenged the NPA to take responsibility for the crimes and apologize to their victims’ families, at a “peace summit” in Passi City yesterday.
The rebels demanded a P15-million ransom for Florete’s release, according to Celiz.
In October 1989, anchorman Severino “Rino” Arcones was shot dead in front of his rented apartment on Democracia Street, Jaro district just as he finished washing his car.
He was an anti-insurgency crusader so he was targeted, said Celiz.
On the other hand, anchorman Eddie Suede and trainee reporter Noel Teneso were gunned down in July 1985 at a restaurant in Mandurriao district. Celiz did not say what the NPA’s motive was in this attack. But it was previously believed the two were preparing a corruption exposé involving a government agency.
“I challenge Siegfred and Cynthia Deduro…are you going to admit and ask for forgiveness sa pag-assassinate kay Rino Arcones, Eddie Suede and Noel Teneso?” said Celiz.
The Deduros are activists and have long complained of being red-tagged. They could not be reached for comment as this was being written.
“Napaka-ipokrito n’yo na sabihing kayo ay social activists and human rights defenders,” said Celiz.
He described the NPA as “the most prolific gangster criminal operatives” in Panay Island.
Celiz further linked the NPA in Panay Island to the notorious robbery, extortion and kidnap-for-ransom group “Ilonggo Group” targeting mostly businessmen and banks.
“The NPA will not admit their illegal activities. Nasakitan sila sang kamatuoran,” said Celiz who formerly headed the cause-oriented group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Panay (between 2000 and 2004). He eventually left the group.
Celiz appeared in a Senate inquiry on Nov. 4, 2020 as former NPA rebel Ka Eric Almedras and backed up Major General Antonio Parlade Jr.’s claim that a sister of actress Angel Locsin was a rebel. He also accused several party-list groups as fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Parlade is the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Luzon Command./PN
