Tapaz raid ‘escapee’ surfaces

From Panay News (Sep 28, 2021): Tapaz raid ‘escapee’ surfaces (By Ruby Silubrico)

One of the escaped supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) from the 2020 raid in Tapaz, Capiz turned himself to the 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Barangay Libot, Calinog town.

Fifty-nine-year-old Abelardo Diaz of Barangay Nayawan, Tapaz, Capiz surrendered around 10 a.m. on Sept. 26 through village chief Nonito Lingaya of Barangay Tacayan, Tapaz.

Diaz brought his .45-caliber pistol and five ammunitions, according to Army Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Jayson Estrada, 12IB commander.

Diaz faces a string of criminal cases to include eight counts of attempted murder with P120,000 bail each case, and violation of Republic Act 9516, or the unlawful possession of explosives with no bail recommended.

Diaz was among the subjects of the synchronized police and military operations on Dec. 30, 2020 in Calinog and adjacent Tapaz.

The raid was carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 6, Police Regional Office 6 and 301st Infantry Battalion and resulted in the death of nine individuals and arrest of 16 others.

Police recovered a hand grenade inside Diaz’s house.

According to Estrada, Diaz joined the NPA on Jan. 5, 2021, days after the raid. He was recruited by Gaspar “Mayok” Matullano, secretary of front 14, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay based in Nayawan.

However, on Aug. 10 this year, Diaz absconded due to hunger.

“This is a good development. Ang mga miyembro nila naglabasan na at nag-surrender. Namulat na sa katotohanan na walang patutunguhan ang kanilang ipinaglalaban,” Estrada told Panay News.

Diaz was detained at the Tapaz police station.

https://www.panaynews.net/tapaz-raid-escapee-surfaces/