Thursday, February 08, 2007
Army laughs off rebel claims
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
MILITARY officials revealed Wednesday having in their possession the satellite phone, 14 computer disks, a diary and other belongings of National Democratic Front-Mindanao spokesperson Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos and other top communist leaders.
"The recovery of the satellite phone and other belongings will confirm intelligence information previously gathered which will be helpful in future operations and prosecution of communist leaders," said Armed Forces' Fourth Infantry Division head Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto.
The other items now in the hands of the military include an attaché case containing an Ericson satellite phone R190 with complete accessories, digital camera with memory card, blue tooth wireless mouse for computer.
Also, 14 pieces compact disk, a pocket notebook, a diary with four pictures, a pocket planner with valuable information and a coin purse containing assorted official receipts and bus tickets last weekend.
Sun.Star failed to contact Madlos or any of his top leaders as of this posting Wednesday but sources said the top communist leaders knew what they were doing when they left these personal items behind.
"The military thinks the revolutionary movement is composed of dumb leaders," the source said. "Our leaders would rather die and sacrifice their lives than leave behind items with valuable information or anything that would give them and our other groups away."
But Fourth Infantry Division spokesman Maj. Samuel Sagun said these items were not left behind but were voluntarily surrendered by civilians residing at the Greenfields area.
"It was the civilians who stepped forward to give not only information about the communist terrorists but also voluntarily surrendering belongings of these top communist leaders in the area," he said.
Earlier, the military captured Madlos' Greenfield guerilla base located at Tagbina, Surigao del Sur.
Sagun said the communists are trying to downplay the value of the captured Madlos' headquarters where they found several firearms, subversive materials, firearms, ammunitions, bomb-making paraphernalia, chemicals and explosives among others worth around P11 million.
He dismissed a press release by a certain communist amazon Maria Malaya claimed that the camp was merely an "old abandoned camp."
"Such claims are wrong as the camp is in fact an existing communist headquarters," he said adding that the testimonies of the civilians and former NPA supporters taken by some field reporters proved Maria Malaya's allegations wrong.
Sagun said they discovered that the White Area Committee of the communist rebels operating in Butuan and Surigao areas made Maria Malaya's press release, which was faxed to different media outlets.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (February 8, 2007 issue)
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