Joma behind Balweg's murder?

A ranking military official claimed yesterday the New People's Army (NPA) had murdered Cordillera People's Liberation Army founder Conrado Balweg upon the orders of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Ma. Sison.

Brig. Gen. Nestor Castillo, chief of the Armed Forces' Public Affairs Service, said Balweg's death in the hands of his former comrades in the underground movement is a "crime that by itself will disturb the CPP ranks."

"The incident once more portrayed the true character of a movement which has nothing to show other than a record of violence, predatory operations open defiance to authority and abuse of individual rights and freedom," Castillo said.

He said Sison's comments over national radio that the assassination of Fr. Balweg was long overdue was "an admission of complicity in the crime of the CPP."

Meanwhile, Balweg's former classmates in the seminary and former colleagues at the Society of Divine Word congregation have arrived in Bangued, Abra to witness his interment scheduled today.

Funeral rites will start with a 2 p.m. Mass at the St. James the Elder Cathedral to be officiated by Fr. Oscar Alanday and Fr. Cirilo Ortega.

Fr. Jerome Adriatico, SVD vice chairman for Northern Luzon and Abra district secretary, said that Balweg remained dear to his fellow priests despite having been a rebel.

He said Balweg waged a "noble fight."