NPA slams RPA-ABB tagged in murder of Negros judge

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  – The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in southwest Negros yesterday lambasted the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) for their alleged role in the murder of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles last April. 

“The involvement of the RPA-ABB in the murder of Judge Arles is an expected development as they are mercenaries and bandits,” said Andrea Guerrero, spokesperson for the NPA’s Armando Sumayang Jr. Command, in a statement posted on its website last Sept. 13.

Guerrero added that some RPA-ABB members, in a bid to scuttle the peasants’ struggle for genuine land reform, allow themselves to be guns-for-hire.

“They (RPA-ABB members) are involved in the murder of some peasants in struggle against despotic landlords in exchange for money,” he said. 

Five members of the RPA-ABB in southern Negros are facing charges for the murder of Arles. They are Jessie Daguia, Alejandro Capunong and Eddie Fortunado; Marvin Salve, vice commander of the RPA-ABB in the sixth district of Negros and Rustom Puro, unit commander.

 Also charged were Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, who was tagged as the mastermind; his aide, Emmanuel Medez; and Gerald Tabujara. 

Lawyer Frank Britanico, brother-in-law of the slain judge and spokesperson for the Arles family, said in a press statement Sunday they appreciate the message of CPP-NPA-NDF. 

“This latest expression of support from revolutionary organizations is an affirmation of the growing clamor from the media, from churches of different denominations, from cause oriented groups and from the people, for a speedy resolution of the murder of the late judge,” Britanico said.