Saturday, July 20, 2013

NPA ‘arrest warrant' propaganda – Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 20): NPA ‘arrest warrant' propaganda – Army

The Philippine Army yesterday dismissed as plain “propaganda” the reported issuance of arrest warrants by the New People's Army against a Negrense vice-mayor and seven others, who were linked to the death of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles last year.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3 rd Infantry Division spokesman, said “It is propaganda, and their usual way of threatening people who live in a democratic society”.

“They are not the legitimate court, therefore it is illegal,” Tiongson said.

In a statement released to the media, the NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command said it has ordered all its units to launch operations for the arrest of Ilog Vice Mayor John Paul Alvarez, RPA-ABB members Rustom Puro, Marvin Salve, Jessie Daguia, Eddie Fortunado, Alejandro Capunong, Gerald Tabujara and Ilog municipal employee Emmanuel Medes, alleged principal suspects in the killing of Arles.

Col. Jon Aying, 303 rd Infantry Brigade commander, said “Only people who are out of their senses or realities can do such ridiculous acts”.

“Imagine these lawless individuals with several arrest warrants for multiple crimes, issuing warrants of arrest to civilians presumed innocent by law,” Aying said.

Late last year, the Department of Justice dismissed the charges filed against Alvarez and his father, former Vice-Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr., and Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara for the murder of Arles, for “insufficiency of evidence”.

The DOJ, however, recommended the filing of a case against Tabujara, Salve, Puro, Capunong, Daguia, Fortunado, and Medes.

Senior Inspector Joshua Villasis, Ilog police chief, said there is no request for security from Vice Mayor Alvarez, yet. He, however, said that they are intensifying their monitoring on the activities and movement of the NPA, in coordination with the Philippine Army, in the town.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda had earlier said that the government is willing to provide protection to Vice Mayor Alvarez.

Arles was shot dead while driving home in Brgy. Manalad, Ilog on April 24 last year.

The Alvarezes and the other suspects had repeatedly denied involvement in the killing.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/July/20/topstory7.htm

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