Military awards P19.25 M in rewards to 10 tipsters

MANILA, Philippines - The military handed on Monday over P19.25 million in reward money to informants who were instrumental in the death and arrest of key terrorists and communist rebels. 

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Armed Forces public affairs chief, said the tips provided by the informants resulted in the capture or killing of seven leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) and three leaders of the Abu Sayyaf.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista led the awarding of cash to 10 tipsters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City the other day.

Among the insurgents who were captured is Danilo Benjamin Mendoza, who had a P5.6-million bounty.

Mendoza, alias Rolly Panesa, was the secretary of the NPA Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee. He was captured during a joint Army-police operation in Quezon City last year.

Other insurgents who were captured due to the informants’ reports were Felimon Mendrez (with a P5.25-million bounty), Jesus Abetria (P2.5 million), Allie Tafalla (P750,000), and Alvin Orpiada (P550,000).

Teofila Buralo, who had a P1.2-million bounty, was killed while Lawina Salibulan, who had been assigned the same amount, surrendered. 

The Abu Sayyaf bandits who were captured were Abdurasad Musad (with a P1-million bounty), Jaid Jawalon (P600,000), and bomber Daud Rahim (P600,000).

The reward system for wanted terrorists was launched in 2001, while the one for insurgents was activated in 2006.

The program, implemented by the Joint Rewards Valuation Committee of the military and police, encourages the public to join the drive against insurgency and terrorism.

A total of 227 Abu Sayyaf bandits and 276 NPA members have been included in the rewards list. More than P205 million has been awarded to tipsters since 2001.