Rebel leader released on bail

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

AN ALLEGED leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was freed from prison Tuesday after he posted P100,000 bail.

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Director Allan Guisihan confirmed that Romeo Nanta, alleged commander of the NPA Regional Operations Command in Negros, posted bail for the charges filed against him.

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Superintendent Felixberto Jagurin, warden of the Negros Occidental District Jail, also confirmed the release of Nanta by posting bail for the robbery in band charges filed against him.

Nanta who also goes by the names of Juanito Magbanua, Jack Nanta, Juaning, Islao and Kulas, was arrested by joint police and military elements last Nov. 7 2011, at Barangay Zone 2, Cadiz City, by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion, robbery-in-band, attempted and frustrated murder issued by three different courts in Negros Occidental.

Based on military and police records, Nanta was responsible for the ambush of a government-owned vehicle in Salamanca village in Toboso town, Negros Occidental last July 13, 2009.

Eryl Baynosa, 42, one of the survivors and son of Eriberto Baynosa, former barangay chief of Salamanca in Toboso, Negros Occidental, pointed to Nanta as the leader of armed men who led the ambush.

The said incident claimed the lives of Edmar Sultan, 14, a student of the Toboso National High School; Rodolfo Salipod, 56, driver of the barangay service vehicle; and Ena Pata, 50.

Nanta was also allegedly responsible for the raid and disarming of the 1st Provincial Mobile Group detachment at Barangay Malasibog, Escalante on March 19, 2006; harassment of Villegas Detachment at Barangay Villegas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental on April 2006; arson incident 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.

The list also includes the attack of La Libertad Police Station in Negros Oriental in 2008; raid of ECJ farm at Barangay Suay, Himamaylan on February 2009; raid of Polopangyan detachment located in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso on August 10 and for disarming and sabotage of VMC pump station in Barangay 20, Victorias City last October 2010.

Military authorities said arrested NPA leaders once released from prison through bail usually rejoin their comrades in the hills.