Military hits NPA plan to return slain mayor’s money

MANILA, Philippines – The military yesterday slammed the New People’s Army (NPA) for its plan to return P25,000 cash it took from Mayor Dario Otaza of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, whom they kidnapped and executed along with his son.

Col. Alexander Macario, chief of the 401st Infantry Brigade, described the NPA’s pronouncement as an attempt to recover from the setback the communist movement gained for kidnapping and killing Otaza and his son Daryl on Oct. 18.

“This is a desperate act of trying to fix their mess. Returning the stolen money is actually adding more pain and suffering to the families, friends, and loved ones of Mayor Otaza. This won’t fix everything. This will not bring back the life of Mayor Otaza and Daryl,” Macario said.

Aside from P25,000 cash, the rebels seized several high-powered firearms from the mayor’s security escort.

NPA spokesperson Rigoberto Sanchez justified the execution, saying Otaza was punished for committing offenses against the rebel forces.

Sanchez said the execution is sanctioned under their revolutionary code of ethics.

The Washington-based Human Rights Watch condemned the killing of Otaza and his son, calling it as plain murder.

Macario criticized the inhumane and brutal NPA people’s court.

“What code of ethics are these NPA bandits referring to? The code of the barbarians?” he asked.