Saturday, July 26, 2008 ‘Top NPA official’ attends trial, falls
AN allegedly high-ranking official of the Central Visayas Regional Party Committee (CVRPC) was arrested while attending a court hearing for a simple rebellion case in Danao City yesterday morning.
Joint teams from the intelligence unit of the Central Command and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7, led by SPO4 Reynaldo Matillano, arrested Alberto Acerdin, 53, past 9 a.m. yesterday.
The operatives served the warrant of arrest against Acerdin for robbery with homicide issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Bienvenido Saniel Jr. dated May 8.
Acerdin, who used to be a member of the training staff of the hit squad Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) of the New People’s Army, allegedly led several encounters with the government troops in Bohol.
He was reportedly the designated deputy secretary of front committee 3 – CVRPC and the commanding officer of the red fighters assigned with the committee.
He was also implicated in a raid reportedly carried out by NPA members in the Municipal Hall of Sogod, Cebu in April 2000.
Supt. Rex Derilo of CIDG 7, who presented Acerdin to the media, said the warrant of arrest served yesterday was in relation to the case filed against him for killing Security and Service Group policeman Marciano Romeo on Sept. 13, 1985.
Acerdin alias Mencio and Tokayo along with an accomplice, who was only identified as Ka Gabriel, allegedly shot and killed Romeo at the interior portion of Laurente and Villagonzalo II Sts., Tejero, Cebu City at the back of the Blessed Sacrament Church.
They allegedly took the victim’s wallet before leaving the area.
Acerdin was arrested in a manhunt operation by joint team of Cebu City and Mandaue City police in his house in Jagobiao, Mandaue City.
During an investigation, Acerdin reportedly admitted to committing the crime. He was charged with a robbery with homicide case in March 1987.
Acerdin, however, pleaded not guilty during the arraignment of his case.
On Aug. 26, 1988, he was reportedly rescued by NPA rebels at the vicinity of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
Despite his absence, the trial on his case proceeded until he was found guilty and was sentenced to prison with a maximum penalty of 20 years.
Acerdin, in an interview with reporters, said he was not aware that a decision was made on his case because he was jailed in Bohol for seven years and was only released last February.
When asked about his alleged affiliation with the rebel movement, Acerdin refused to comment. (JST)
