Saturday, April 12, 2008 CPLA leader okays arrest of erring members
BANGUED, Abra -- Current, past or ejected members of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) should be arrested if they harass or intimidate any member of the community.
Reacting to warnings made by Baguio local officials against members of the group who allegedly harassed some employees of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (BCSWDO) and served as "protectors" of some illegal settlers, CPLA chairman and former Bucloc, Abra Mayor Mailed Molina called on the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to arrest those reported to be harassing members of the community.
Molina is a participant to the two-day Local Peace and Security Assembly here, which began Wednesday.
According to him, those who abused their membership with the CPLA are not members but are merely using the group to intimidate.
He said the CPLA is planning to hold a general assembly anytime this month or next month and do a "head count" of its members.
"Stop it, that is dishonorable," Molina told his erring members, adding that the alleged harassments done by some members were committed even in Tarlac.
He stressed that some people have used the CPLA for their personal gain. However, he assured that members who may have participated in these acts would be chastised.
Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. earlier warned the CPLA not to harass any member of the Baguio community. He also sought assistance from Police Regional Director Eugene Martin.
Another warning was issued later on by Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas. He said the CPLA should not abuse the authority and privilege accorded to them by the government as paramilitary groups. (RO/AAU)
