NPA-North Negros Command Issues Arrest Warrants for 3 Involved in Landgrabbing, Murder

From the Negros Daily Bulletin (Feb 5): NPA-North Negros Command Issues Arrest Warrants for 3 Involved in Landgrabbing, Murder

Warrants of arrest have been issued by the NPA’s Roselyn Pelle Command of the North Negros area against three principal accused in alleged landgrabbing, murder and frustrated murder, it said have been accused by several villagers in Calatrava and Toboso towns in far northern Negros, its spokesperson, who goes by the nom de guerre Ka Cecil Estrella, said in a written statement made available to members of the Negros media.

This is the third successive declaration, two written and one tape-recorded, issued by NPA guerilla fronts’ spokespersons within two weeks. Political analysts opined that this shows that the NPAs all over the island are consolidating their political and armed components which have become a strong basis for their actions.

The case of landgrabbing and murder have long been the subject of a complaint by barrio folks who have filed cases against respondents in the government’s court, which is part of its judicial system.

Accused by villagefolks of landgrabbing, murder and frustrated murder were former PC soldier Raul Baterna, landowners Roberto and Rowena Lumayno. Without any action from the government’s court, the villagefolks filed the complaint before the Roselyn Pelle Command’s Northern Negros Guerilla Front against the three landowners.

After an evaluation and investigation based on the testimony of those affected consisting of 213 families in Cambayobo, Mina-utok in Calatrava town and in Bug-ang Village in Toboso town, the revolutionary court were able to establish the guilt of the respondents and therefore, elevated the case to the Revolutionary People’s Court (RPC).

The Revolutionary Court after its evaluation and investigation found probable cause to accuse the three of landgrabbing which it said started in 1989, yet. In addition, through the years, other subsidiary cases have been attributed to the three including issuing threats, harassments and strafing of villagefolks’ houses. The three have also been using government armed components such as the former Philippine Constabulary (PC) then, the Regional Mobile Group (RMG), the AFP and armed paid goons such as the RPA-ABB. Those accused were also responsible for destroying the villagefolks’ planted crops, destroying houses and properties, using tractors and framing them up with illegal possession of firearms using planted evidences, to force residents to leave the area and their farms.

Those accused are also principals in the second degree in the crime of murder and as accessories in the killing of Arnulfo Vaflor Jr. in Vergara Subvillage, Maxilum Village, Bug-ang Village in Toboso town. They are also principals in the second degree and accessories in this crime committed against several victims.

Based on these cases filed against them, the three have been issued warrants of arrest and that they are to face the people’s Court. On the other hand, other cases against other suspects in the cases filed are being processed such as those against armed goons, the RPA-ABB members involved in the charges, policemen belonging to the RMG and soldiers belonging to the AFP. They are to be issued the necessary warrants of arrest for their participation in the alleged crimes committed. The NPA said, Ka Cecil Estrella is fully determined to give justice to the victims through the Revolutionary Court.

At this point in time, all NPA units under the Roselyn Pelle Command are operating to ensure that the warrants of arrest are carried out. Those also involved are also enjoined to peacefully give up or surrender.

http://www.ndb-online.com/020513/local-news/local-news-npa-north-negros-command-issues-arrest-warrants-3-involved-landgrabbing