Sunday, March 16, 2008 Vice Mayor appeals to CPLA not to abuse privilege By Rimaliza Opiña
BAGUIO City Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas warned members of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) not to exploit their integration into the military by using this as license to harass.
Fariñas reiterated this warning after the arrest recently of three members of the CPLA.
Fariñas likewise advised the public not to seek the assistance of the group on matters involving issuances of the City Government, like demolition orders. He said the group should not interfere with affairs of the local government.
Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. earlier asked the assistance of Police Cordillera Regional Director Eugene Martin over reports some members of the CPLA have been harassing employees of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), at their field office in Irisan.
Fariñas warned that if reports on harassment continue, the City Government would file charges versus the group.
The CPLA is a paramilitary group integrated with the Philippine Army.
Last Friday, authorities reported the arrest of three members of the CPLA identified as Marcelino Padinay, Ferdinand Bucassan, and Elmer Balucnit.
They were apprehended by a composite police team at the Luisa's Café at Session Road last Wednesday.
Padinay was found to be in possession of a caliber .45 pistol, Bucassan was accosted carrying a homemade caliber .357 magnum revolver with the markings Smith & Wesson without any serial number, while Balucnit was caught with a caliber .45 pistol with the markings API-PAHRUMP NY Philippines.
The three reportedly failed to present any license or permit to the apprehending officers to show legal ownership of the firearms.
