Rebels expel 4 ‘traitors’

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 5): Rebels expel 4 ‘traitors’

The New People’s Army Roselyn Pelle Command in northern Negros has expelled four of its members from the Partido Komunista sa Pilipinas, whom they accused of being “traitors” for collaborating with the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion.

Rebel spokesman Cecil Estrella said that in a statement he issued, that the four expelled members, identified as Bonnie Tapang Baynosa, with aliases of Ka Red, Moreno and Je-an, of Brgy. San Isidro, Toboso; Dindo Lusadas, with aliases of Ka Dondel and Lobyen, of Brgy. Libertad, Escalante City; Erving Benas, with aliases of Ka Totong, Rio and Erol; and a certain Eugene, with aliases of Ka Reden and Milan, both residents of Brgys. E. Lopez and Guimbalaon in Silay City, respectively, joined the military operations of the 62IB after their surrender.

Estrella said they have issued an arrest warrant against the four former NPA members, who are also being accused of extortion and of taking properties owned by the revolutionary movement. Estrella also claimed that Lusadas and Baynosa are accused of murder.

Four other former members of the Roselyn Pelle Command, including Ka Piolo, Ka Jed, Ka Bunso and Ka James, also have pending arrest warrants, the rebel spokesman added.

Estrella also said they have issued arrest warrants against former Constabulary officer Raul Baterna, Roberto and Rowena Lumayno, allegedly for land-grabbing in barangays Cambayobo and Mina-utok, Calatrava, and Bug-ang in Toboso, among others.

Earlier, the NPA Armando Sumayang Command also issued an arrest warrant against a suspected drug lord in southern Negros.

Meanwhile, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday challenged the NPA leadership in Negros Island to discipline those behind the Jan. 27 ambush in Brgy. Puso, La Castellana, that claimed the lives of eight civilians and a police officer, and caused injuries to 12 others, including 10 more civilians and two policemen.

Marañon said no amount of financial assistance can pay for the loss of lives.

In a tape recorded statement furnished to the media Friday, rebel spokesman Ka JB Regalado explained they had no intention to stage an ambush, but only to disarm policemen and armed BPAT members. He claimed that they had seized seven firearms.

However, Regalado apologized only for the deaths of civilians Virginia Ordoñez and Enrique Dingcong, and the wounding of a 14-year-old boy and 11 others.

Marañon said the NPA admission of the ambush goes to show that they are irresponsible.

Seven of the nine fatalities were buried Saturday and Sunday at a public cemetery in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana, while Police Officer 1 Richard Canja is scheduled to be buried on Feb. 9 with full military honors, and Ulysses Tamayor on Feb. 11.

Admitting lapses by their fighters, Regalado said they will extend financial assistance to the civilian victims and initiate disciplinary action against their members.

Regalado also said the NPA rebels are not drug addicts, and called Marañon’s declaration “not responsible and lacks thought.” He also denied claims that his group executed some of the victims by finishing them off with a shot to the head.

Families and relatives of the victims, however, rejected the offer of financial assistance of the NPA, stressing that what they want is justice.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/February/05/topstory1.htm