Abra soldier killed by alleged former rebel

Bangued, Abra , Philippines  – An Abra-based soldier was reportedly killed by a former rebel over a heated argument during a drinking spree in remote Licuan Baay town, here. 

Technical Sergeant Bartolome Valencia was reportedly killed by Edwin Balawag, a former rebel leader, last week during a unilateral ceasefire declared by communist guerillas in the Ilocos-Cordillera region from Oct. 15 to 21.

Abra NPA guerillas, however, said Balawag already surrendered to the government in December 2008. “He is in fact an armed bodyguard of a local warlord-politician,” said Die-go Wadagan, spokesperson of the Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command.

Balawag on Dec. 1, 2008, along with his wife Rosemarie, and Edgardo Molina, in a much-publicized incident, surrendered to PNP Superintendent Ricardo Dayag of the PNP’s 103rd Provincial Mobile Group based in Ilocos Sur.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Versoza even presented Balawag, his wife and Molina as “Top ranking NPAs captured in Lacub.”

Immediately after being presented, the Balawags were released and Edwin since then, was under the custody of a former mayor of Lacub.

Accordingly, Balawag even tucks a .45 caliber pistol and roams freely in Lacub and Baay-Licuan towns.

Hence, “Balawag aka Bagyan, is not connected in any way with the revolutionary movement ever since he surrendered.”

Wadagan laughed at how the police claimed credit when Balawag surrendered but blamed the NPA when Balawag killed Valencia.

Valencia reportedly came from relief and rescue operations when he was killed.

“This is to generate public sympathy and disgust against the NPA,” feared Wadagan but, “the 41st IB, especially it’s Alpha and Charlie Boys based in Lacub and Baay-Licuan respectively, are not engaged in relief, rehabilitation and rescue operations.” 

In fact, he said, “based on their own press statements, forces of the 41st IB conducted combat and patrol operations at the height of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, maximizing bad weather for military advantage, but oblivious to the plight of the people being ravaged by the typhoons.”

Valencia was armed with a .45 caliber pistol, further added Wadagan, “although it was claimed that he was unarmed to further generate sympathy.”

Balawag and Valencia had a shouting match while in a drinking spree, and both reached for their pistols but Balawag shot Valencia first, the rebel spokesman said.

It was even told that Valencia, was transporting P200,000 payroll money of the Alpha Company of the 41st IB and the money was taken after the incident.        – With Charlie Lagasca