Army: Witnesses vs. militants facingtrafficking cases threatened by NPA

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 9, 2020): Army: Witnesses vs. militants facingtrafficking cases threatened by NPA

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reported yesterday that witnesses against leaders of various militant groups facing qualified human trafficking cases got death threats from the New People’s Army.

The two witnesses were among the 13 minors rescued by the combined police and military personnel during the series of raids in offices of militant organizations on October 31 last year in Bacolod City, that was covered by search warrants, Capt. Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Army’s 3rd ID, said.

The death threats allegedly came from the NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command in central Negros and were reported by Joemar Tano and Alfredo Diaz to the La Carlota City Police Station on Feb. 25 and 27, respectively.

Tano reported that his wife, Maribel, was approached and informed by a certain Jemon Sandahan that their son was included in the “shoot to kill order” of the rebel group.

Diaz, on the other hand, disclosed in a police blotter report that he was also informed by Maribel, that his son was also included in the “hit list” of the NPA.

A rebel returnee, who is also a witness in the qualified human trafficking case, also received similar death threats, Pancito said.

He added that they intend to present more witnesses during the trial proper, to corroborate the testimonies of the others.

Threatening the witnesses is like admitting the fact that those arrested militants are affiliated with the armed group, and that they really are into illegal activities, like recruiting and training of minors to become NPA fighters, Pancito added.

Facing qualified human trafficking charges are six militant organization leaders, who include Albert Dela Cerna, John Milton Lozande, Noli Lacera Rosales, Proceso Quiatchon, Karina Dela Cerna, and Cherryl Catalogo, Pancito said.

“Innocent defendants do not threaten witnesses for they believe in fair judicial proceedings. They strongly believe in the power of truth since only truth can set them free,” he stressed.

“Now, why threaten the witnesses if you really are innocent?” Pancito asked, adding, “Threatening unarmed and defenseless witnesses is a cowardly act,” as he slammed the NPA for resorting to devious and desperate move to prevent the witnesses from telling the truth.

Pancito called on Negrenses to defend the truth and stand against the communist rebels, who are the true human traffickers and human rights violators in Negros, and also stressed the need to protect children from recruitment by the NPA.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/March/09/topstory7.htm