RPA-ABB protesting ‘unwarranted’ arrests

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 6): RPA-ABB protesting ‘unwarranted’ arrests

The Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade yesterday protested against what it calls the “unwarranted arrest” of three of its members in Brgy. Bagtic, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

The arrest of Mayo Rosal, 35, and Gerald Lama, 29, of Brgy. Guimbalaon, Silay City, and Rene Juaniza, 28, of Brgy. Dos Hermanas, Talisay City had yielded a fragmentation grenade, a .45 caliber pistol and three magazines containing live ammunition.

The three are now in jail for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Victorino Sumulong, spokesperson of the RPA, that is now in transition stage to Kapatiran, however, said the circumstances surrounding the incident were clearly not in consonance with the guidelines on cessation of hostilities of the 2000 peace agreement, that they continue to observe.

The RPA-ABB Tabara Paduano Group is now called Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan (Brotherhood for Social Progress), in line with its transformation into a legitimate mainstream organization as part of the ongoing closure peace agreement with the government.

“This incident does not serve well the shared interest of the government and our organization to come into the final closure agreement,” Sumulong, said in a statement he issued.

Gilbert Arsenal, KPP president, had earlier said that he expects the filing of cases against three of their members, but expressed dismay that the police made them scapegoats of the reported robbery-hold-up incident in the area.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/September/06/topstory11.htm