NPA release "minor" setback for Army

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The release of an alleged New People’s Army (NPA) leader may be a little setback for the Philippine Army but it was also a triumph for democracy, according to Col. Oscar Lactao, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade.

Lactao said the release of Romeo Nanta, alleged NPA regional commander, was a victory for the democratic process because his camp has “chosen to follow the system by facing the charges filed against him and posted bail for his temporary liberty.”

Nanta followed the system they wanted to overthrow, Lactao said at a joint press conference with the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in this city recently.

The military and the police have done their job in arresting Nanta, who was described as a notorious criminal in the province, with numerous cases lodged against him, said Lactao. “The court has granted (Nanta) motion for bail, so we have to respect and follow the court order,” he said.

Nanta, 54, who also goes by aliases Ka Juanito Magbanua, Ka Jack Nanta, Ka Juaning, Ka Islao, and Ka Kulas, was released from jail Tuesday after posting bail of P100,000 for robbery-in-band, and of P14,800 for an arson case.

Nanta was arrested by joint police and military elements last Nov. 7 at Brgy. Zone 2 in Cadiz City by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion, robbery-in-band, attempted and frustrated murder issued by three different courts in Negros Occidental.

Lactao said the almost four months of incarceration of Nanta has probably provided the latter enough time to reflect on the futility of the armed struggle, and on the value of rejoining his family instead of returning to the mountains.

Survivors and families of victims of ambush incidents in Brgy. Salamanca Toboso town in Negros Occidental, allegedly perpetrated by the NPA, have expressed concern over the release of Nanta, after filing charges against him for multiple murder and frustrated murder.

Meanwhile, Supt. David Cachumbo, who represented Sr. Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director, in the same press conference, said the bail of Nanta may be revoked and an arrest warrant may be issued against him, if he ignores the subpoena to be sent to him, and fails to attend his court hearing.

Nanta was also linked to the raid and disarming of the 1st Provincial Mobile Group detachment at Barangay Malasibog, Escalante on March 19, 2006; harassment of the Villegas Detachment at Barangay Villegas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental on April 2006; arson at the Victorias Milling Company and Central Lopez transloading station at Barangay San Jose, Toboso on March 2008; and the burning of the Globe Telecom cell site in Purok Mabuhay, Barangay Poblacion, Toboso, Negros Occidental. (FREEMAN)