Tuesday, August 27, 2019

NDF consultant top Red recruiter in Metro

From the Manila Times (Aug 28, 2019): NDF consultant top Red recruiter in Metro

A peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), who was arrested late Monday in Quezon City, headed the recruitment operations of the communist movement in Metro Manila, the police claimed on Tuesday.


BIG FISH Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde presents Esterlita Suaybaguio Espinosa.
PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ


Esterlita Espinosa Suaybaguio — alias “Nali,” “Loida,” or “Ester” — 60, is a “big” leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NDF-New People’s Army (NPA), according to National Capital Region Police Office Director Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar.

Suaybaguio headed the NPA’s Regional Party Committee in Metro Manila, the police official said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said more NPA leaders would fall as the government presses its campaign against the communists to stamp out insurgency.

“The President said gusto niya tapusin itong insurgency (he wants to end insurgency),” he told reporters in a press briefing.

Albayalde said the PNP was monitoring other NPA leaders hiding in Metro Manila, especially its top officials.

“Malilikot ‘yung mga ‘yan (These leaders are hard to catch),” Albayalde said.

A joint team of the military and police arrested Suaybaguio at Escalades Condominium on the strength of a warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89 on charges of illegal possession of firearms. Seized from her were a 9 mm pistol, a grenade and subversive documents.

“Malaki ito, remember she was the secretary of Metro Manila Committee, mataas na party leader, malaking tao ito, especially dito sa Metro Manila na ‘white area’ (She is big, she is a high-ranking leader, especially in Metro Manila),” Albayalde said.

White areas are urban centers where the NPA actively recruits new members.

The human rights group Karapatan condemned the arrest of Suaybaguio, saying the firearms seized by authorities were planted.

Quezon City Police Director Joselito Esquivel Jr. dismissed the allegations.

“Lagi naman ‘yan kini-claim nila kapag may nahuhuli (They always claim that when someone’s arrested),” Esquivel said.

Esquivel said the NPA’s goal was to “overthrow the government using violence.”

The police said a concerned citizen tipped authorities on the whereabouts of Suaybaguio, whose arrest was witnessed by village officials.

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