ILOILO CITY, Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have apparently mastered an easy way out of the criminal mess they are in.
“Try harassing witnesses,” said Col. Arnold Quiapo, commanding officer of the Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade based in Dingle, Iloilo.
Quiapo said a number of cases they had filed against the insurgents got dismissed because witnesses withdrew, adding that they could not coerce civilians into taking the witness stand when their lives are threatened.
“We gave assurance though that we could provide security to the witnesses and their families. But still, the rebels have continued to threaten them contrary to their self-proclaimed statements that they are for the people,” Quiapo said.
Quiapo gave the statement after the arrest of an NPA guerrilla, Roger Belo, 31, who faced a string of criminal cases, in Tapaz, Capiz last Sunday night.
However, the following day, police had to release Belo after learning that the courts had dismissed the cases against him after the witnesses withdrew.
– Jennifer Rendon, Alexis Romero