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Tuesday, July 4, 2017
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ILOILO City – Were the persons whom the police slapped with a string of criminal charges for the New People’s Army (NPA) raid of the Maasin, Iloilo police station really rebels?
Some of those charged were innocent civilians and not members of the revolutionary movement, if the Coronacion Chiva “Waling-Waling” Command of the NPA-Panay were to be believed.
“Perhaps due to desperation, the police have resorted to their old, dirty trick: accusing people they suspect without strong bases,” according to Ka Julio Montana, spokesperson of the Waling-Waling Command, in a statement written in Filipino.
On June 29, the police of Maasin charged 60 individuals with robbery in band, carnapping, serious illegal detention, direct assault upon agents of persons in authority, and tumults and other disturbances of public order before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
According to Montana, some of those charged were students and one was even already working abroad – a daughter of National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala.
The trumped-up charges brought fear and anxiety to these civilians and their families, said Montana.
NPA-Panay was not surprised, according to Montana. Among others, this move was meant to cover up the police’s failure to protect their Maasin station, he said.
The complainants were Maasin police station’s 23 police officers who were sacked following the raid.
Around 10:30 a.m. on June 18 rebels stormed the police station and carted away M16 rifles, Glock .9mm pistols, handheld radios and their base, laptops, mobile phones, money, and jewelry.
“Every time the NPA launches tactical offensives, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police drag to the fray even civilians they suspect of being sympathetic to the revolution. Many innocent civilians are languishing in jails across the country due to trumped-up charges filed by the AFP and PNP,” according to Montana.
NPA-Panay urged prosecutors and judges in Region 6 “na huwag magpagamit sa maruming taktikang ito ng AFP at PNP (don’t allow yourselves to be used by this dirty tactic of the AFP and PNP).”
“Hinihikayat namin sila na maging independente, objective at impartial sa pagsusuri ng mga ebidensya at testigo (We urge them to be independent, objective and impartial in vetting evidences and testimonies),” said Montana.
NPA-Panay also urged the persons charged to assert their human rights and offered them protection.
“Aside from the legal actions they may take, they may temporarily seek shelter in NPA camps,” said Montana.
“Kung hindi sila pwede o handang sumapi sa NPA, may mga masa at milisyang bayan naman na handang tumulong at magbigay ng proteksyon sa kanila,” he added.
According to Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), the respondents were all members of the Waling-Waling Command.
Of the 60 respondents, however, only 20 were identified through the help of witnesses and the video of the raid that the rebels themselves recorded and posted online, he said. They were the following:
* Joven Ceralvo, of Igbaras, Iloilo
* Joan Fajardo of Mina, Iloilo
* Chiva Diaz of Lambunao, Iloilo
* Melvin Dayaday of Dumarao, Capiz
* Mary Liych Bocala of Iloilo City
* Ronnie Canon of Tubungan, Iloilo
* Romeo Esmediana of Igbaras, Iloilo
* Joerey Cordero of Alimodian, Iloilo
* John Ray Aguado of Alimodian
* Gamay Montefrio of Maasin, Iloilo
* Karma John Suarez of Calinog, Iloilo
* Leizle Bandiola
* a certain Ruby and Katkat of Tapaz, Capiz
* Lanie Gardose and Christy Cabales of Tapaz, Capiz
* a certain Niel of Igbaras, Iloilo
* Randy Canoy Gamica of Tapaz, Capiz
* Erver Buencochillo of Igbaras, Iloilo
* Levy John Palencia of Dumarao, Capiz.
Tayaba said Palencia owned the Isuzu Elf truck that the rebels used.
“After they completed their attack, they took the police patrol car and fired their guns. These acts were full of malice. They were a threat to the peace and order of the whole Region 6,” said Tayaba.
Montana enumerated several reasons for the Maasin raid. He accused Maasin policemen of extortion, with poor vendors as their primary victims.
Montana also claimed the Maasin police tolerated the proliferation of illegal drugs and illegal gambling in the town./PN
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