|
Friday, September 05, 2003
TFD remains steadfast amid criticisms: chief
By Gwen P. Posadas
DESPITE ceaseless criticisms of some Davao City councilors, Task Force Davao (TFD) Chief Gaudencio Pangilinan said they would remain steadfast in their thrust to prevent any terrorist attacks in the city.
In Thursday's interview, Pangilinan said they could not suppress all common crimes in the city like the burning of a Holiday taxicab by alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Datu Lojo, Ma-a, Davao City on Tuesday evening.
Pangilinan was reacting to a statement of Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang Wednesday that the presence of the TFD is useless if they cannot prevent the entry of communists in the city.
"We cannot suppress common crimes alone. Hindi lang naman kami ang entity na concerned sa ganoong bagay (We are not the only entity concerned with those things)," Pangilinan said.
"We still cannot confirm that the letter really came from the NPA, so hindi pa ma-classify na (we cannot classify that this is) part of the insurgency so it would fall into common crimes, which is the task of the police," Capt. Ralph dela Cruz of TFD said.
The three suspects handed a letter to the taxicab driver demanding the taxi firm owner to pay revolutionary tax to the communist group.
The letter bore a letterhead that read "Tax Implementing Group, NPA-Southern Mindanao and a logo of the Bagong Hukbong Bayan.
"In spite of our constant reminder to your company's obligation to the People's Democratic Government, you chose to ignore it. Thus, we have reached a point where we are forced to take action, such as what has been done now against your property," said the letter signed by one Renante F. Soledad.
The burning of the taxicab happened after George Madlos alias Ka Oris, of the Merardo Arce Command, National Democratic Front (NDF)-Southern Mindanao made a public statement over local television that business entities that fail to pay the revolutionary tax will suffer the consequences.
"Nagkamali sila du-on (threatening business sectors). Mas mabuti nga na magalit ang tao para malaman nila kung gaano sila (NPA) kasama (They made a mistake in threatening business sectors. It's better that the people will be angered so they know how ruthless the NPA is)," Pangilinan said.
When asked if TFD has already monitored the presence of NPA members in the city, Pangilinan said, "The NPA is all over. Ang Bayan Muna kanila yan, kaya it is easy for them to move around (Bayan Muna is theirs, that's why it's easy for them to move around)," Pangilinan said.
He added that they have yet to ascertain the authenticity of the letter because it does not follow the usual format of an NPA extortion letter.
"Ang (The) medium of communication is usually Tagalog or English. Karon ang naa diri, natingala mi kay computerized og English (We were surprised because it's computerized and it's in English)," said dela Cruz adding that they are looking into the possibility that other groups are just riding with the cause of the NPA. GPP
(September 5, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
