Balweg taking a 'long rest'

MANILA, Philippines - The conduct of a police tactical interrogation against captured ranking Abra rebel leader Jovencio Balweg would be delayed for a longer time because the subject asked that he be allowed to enjoy a “long rest.”

Cordillera police director Chief Superintendent Orlando Pestaño granted the request of Balweg, who is suffering from spinal canal stenosis and have suffered a stroke.

Pestaño said the 58-year-old Balweg, alyas Ka Rudy and Ka Dawa, is now resting in a “guesthouse” in Metro Manila, accompanied by his wife, Carmen and son, Jovencio Jr., alias Ka Duffy.

Senior Superintendent Alex Pumecha, the Cordillera police intelligence chief, and his men are securing the Balwegs.

According to Pestaño, Balweg is being taken cared of by a physician of his own choice.

Balweg was arrested in Baguio City on May 18.

He immediately worked for the surrender of his wife and son, who were presented Wednesday before Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

In the said meeting, Ka Rudy vowed to help the Arroyo administration in the peace process with the communist movement, especially in Abra.

Full cooperation

Pumecha said the Balwegs are cooperating fully in their investigation, especially in their involvement in political killings in Abra and the Cordillera region.

“But because he requested that he be allowed to rest, for him to fully recover from his sickness before we conduct our tactical interrogation on him (Jovencio), we obliged and rescheduled such activity,” said Pumecha.

However, Ka Rudy was advised by his counsel, lawyer Rene Cortez, not to answer questions regarding cases he was charged of, for fear of incriminating himself, Pumecha said.

Balweg is facing two counts of murder and multiple frustrated murder charges before the sala of Judge Corpuz Alzate, of the Abra Regional Trial Court Branch 2.

His prominent victim was his rebel-priest brother Conrado, whom he shot dead inside their ancestral home in Buanao, Malibcong town on Dec. 31, 1999.

Balweg carries a P1 million bounty.