NPA claims Isabela raids,

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 16): NPA claims Isabela raids,
but denies link to politics

The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People's Army in central Negros claimed responsibility for the recent raids at the houses of two barangay captains in Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Ka Ann Jacinto, deputy spokesperson of the Leonardo Panaligan Command, however, said their action has nothing to do with politics.

Jacinto told Aksyon Radyo that they were only after the firearms of Tolero and his abusive barangay tanods.

The raid at the house of Tolero in Brgy. Mansablay, Isabela Thursday last week, yielded a homemade shotgun, while a .45 caliber pistol was taken from barangay tanod Jovit Posadas, and a 9mm pistol from a jail guard, Jacinto said.

She also confirmed the raid at the house of barangay chairman Agapito Euroba in Brgy. San Agustin, Isabela, last month.

Jacinto alleged that Tolero involved in indiscriminate firing at the Isabela public plaza, while Euroba faces accusations of corruption, allowing himself to be utilized by the Philippine Army, among others.

The separate operations of the revolutionary movement aims to ensure protection of the people, for them to be able choose freely their candidates during the election, she added.
 
It has nothing to do with politics, Jacinto said.
 
But she added that the revolutionary movement is ready to disarm private armed goons, who may enter their territories.

Col. Francisco Delfin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that the NPA wants to project to candidates that they are still a force to reckon with, by targeting helpless barangay officials.

Delfin said they have ongoing security operations in the hinterlands of central Negros, to prevent the NPA remnants from conducting terroristic activities.

Jacinto refused to confirm or deny that about 60 to rebels involved in the raid at the house of Tolero. But the military and police brushed aside estimates of number of NPA rebels involved in the raid, given by witnesses.

The statement of Jacinto that politics has nothing to do with the raid at the house of Tolero, also bolstered assessment of the Philippine Army and National Police that it was mere speculations to link it to politics.

Jacinto also told Aksyon Radyo that they are prohibiting Euroba to return to his barangay, as she urged him to face and defend himself before the people's court.
Tolero said that has already settled the “firing incident” and has  apologized to the church authorities as well as to the people in the area.

If there are other  accusations against him, Tolero said, they should be filed in the proper court, where he can defend himself.

Tolero and Euroba are both supporters of re-electionist Isabela Mayor Enrique Montilla III.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/February/16/topstory4.htm