Terror charges filed vs NPA commander, 14 others over Cagayan ambush

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Police have filed terror charges against a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel commander, his spokesman and 13 others in connection with the May 27 ambush slaying of eight members of an elite police unit in Allacapan, Cagayan.

Senior Superintendent Franklin Mabanag said they filed charges of violation of Republic Act 9372 or the Anti Terrorism Act of 2007 last Friday against Lolito Rasa alias Ka Tabu, commander of the Danilo Ben Command; rebel spokesman Crispin Apolinario, and 13 guerillas.

Rasa was also alleged to have made the bomb used in the ambush, which also injured several others.

Mabanag said the Special Investigation Task Group Allacapan filed the charges before the Ballesteros, Cagayan Regional Trial Court Branch 33.

The respondents are all at large.

Earlier, Cagayan Police Director Senior Superintendent Gregorio Lim filed charges of robbery in band against NPA rebels Cristina Garcia alias Ka Senyang and Revo Bernardo Perdian Jr. for leading a raid on a grains warehouse in Imurung, Baggao town last April 25.

Reports said the raiders fled with cash and licensed guns owned by warehouse owner Aurelio Abraham.

Meanwhile, Lim denounced the rebels’ justifying their “brutal acts” of killing the policemen belonging to the elite Special Action Force.

“This command also rebukes the negative claims thrown against our Regional Director Chief Supt. Rodrigo de Gracia and we support him in this turbulent times,” Lim said in a statement.

NPA’s Apolinario had accused De Gracia of establishing an SAF base in Allacapan to protect the Chinese Black Sand quarrying and other business interests of politicians in northern Cagayan.