A SUSPECTED leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) with a P2.5-million bounty for his capture was arrested on Saturday by government security forces in Abatan, Benguet, Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said on Sunday.
Cerbo identified the arrested rebel leader as Kennedy Bangibang. “[Bangibang is the] secretary-general of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Baggao,” Cerbo said. He was referring to a town (Baggao) in Cagayan province, one of the traditional NPA mass bases of the CPP-NPA in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).
Cerbo said Bangibang was arrested at around 2 p.m. at Bangao Proper Junction along Halsema Highway. “He [Bangibang] was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Marcelino Wakas based in Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga for a crime of murder with CC 58-2011,” he said.
Meanwhile, Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara said the capture of Bangibang is a “big blow” to the NPA organization in Cagayan.
“Bangibang’s arrest by the PNP which was supported by our soldiers could not have been successful without the cooperation of some civilians who tipped off his whereabouts. It could also be possible that he is tired already in the rebel movement so he exposed himself to public. This led to his arrest,” Alcantara said.
He credited the arrest of Bangibang to the military’s intensified information-dissemination to the people about the objective of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan which enjoins all sector to unite against the culture of violence.
“We should be all promoting a culture of peace and not a culture of violence. Magbayanihan lamang tayo para sa tunay na kapayapaan,” Alcantara said.
Since Jan. 16, after the suspension of military operations (Somo) of both the military and NPA was lifted, the NPA intensified its tactical operations against government forces and even against private companies who refused to pay the so-called revolutionary tax.
The ambush in January in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, killed eight civilians and a policeman. It also wounded six other civilians and two cops.
President Aquino ordered the regional police to file a complaint against the NPA before an international body for violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Just last week, the NPA conducted simultaneous raids against Del Monte Philippines in Bukidnon killing a security guard and wounding three people.
The police and military estimated millions of pesos worth of property was lost in the NPA attack as a warehouse, offices, heavy equipment and vehicles were burned and destroyed. Authorities said the rebels also looted office computers and personal valuables of the employees, including some high-powered firearms and pistols.
In October 2011, a similar attack was conducted against three foreign mining giants in Claver, Surigao del Norte. Authorities said the NPA destroyed property worth up to P3 billion.
Peace talks between the Aquino administration and the National Democratic Front (NDF), the negotiating arm of the CPP-NPA, was stalled since February 2011 because of disagreement on the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees.
The NDF withdrew from the negotiating table because of the series of arrests of its “consultants” in the peace talks.
Meanwhile, Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes has sacked the commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade pending investigation for possible security lapses over the latest major attack of communist rebels against Del Monte Philippines in Bukidnon.
Relieved for command responsibility was Col. James Jacob, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maharlika” Class 1984. He was replaced by Col. Francisco Pabayo, chief of staff for Civil-Military Operations (G7) of the Philippine Army. Pabay is a member of PMA “Sandiwa” Class 1985.
The relief of Jacob was confirmed by Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division, the mother unit of the Jacob’s command.
Osias said 4th ID commander Maj. Gen. Nestor Añonuevo implemented on Friday the relief order of Jacob (sentence/article incomplete)....
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