Rebels admit raid in Butuan

From the Manila Standard Today (Jun 16): Rebels admit raid in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte—The New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for raiding last June 8 the house of Mayor Ramon Calo in Carmen, Agusan del Norte.

In a statement sent to the media, NPA spokesman Ka Omar said the attack was due to his anti-people activities.

“They are not only losing public support, losing symphatizers and armed members but also their supplies of firearms and ammunition are waning thus they are forced to rob and steal firearms,” Calo told Manila Standard before attending the Talent Night in the Search of Mutya Ng Agusan del Norte at the Municipal Gym.

“All in all I lost more than P300,000 worth of items.”

Calo said if he were at home at the time, “I would have been forced to fight them. Let us see of who will left alive.”

Carmen Police said five men wearing Army uniform with AK 47 rifles and handguns barged Calo’s compound and tied up Junpol V. Tubo and Jeffrey L. Liro of the  Carmen Task Force, and Junson T. Mabacyaw, a helper.

The inventory of items allegedly taken by the suspects during the raid consisted of one Elisco M16 rifle (Serial 031457), one 9mm Jericho pistol (Serial 146034), one  9mm UZI (Serial 140359), two 12 gauge shotguns, one samurai sword, one attache case containing a passbook, and 10 check booklets.

According to Calo, nearly 100 police and military troops have joined to provide security at his residence.

“This is an added expenses to my part because government will not shoulder personal expenses like providing food for your security personnel” he said.

Agusan del Norte Governor Maria Angelica Rossdell Amante-Matba, Talent Night keynote speaker, condemned the attack as a terrorist act.

Calo is an ally of Matba, provincial chairwoman and Caraga regional vice chairwoman of the Liberal Party.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/06/16/rebels-admit-raid-in-butuan/