Wednesday, March 05, 2008 Military: NPA cannot punish erring members By Carlo P. Mallo
THE military doubts that the New People's Army (NPA) will be able to discipline, much more impose sanctions, on the rebels who were behind the death of Davao City businessman Vicente Ferrazini last January 4.
Despite its admission and apology to the family and the public for what it called as a "highly regrettable occurrence," the rebel group has yet to submit the responsible members to the hands of law.
"Will they punish Ka Bobby for implementing the order to execute?" Major Medel Aguilar, chief of the 5th Civil Relations asked in an interview with Sun.Star Davao Tuesday. "Very unlikely," he said.
However, in the statement issued by the rebel group, they did not specify whether they are willing to turn over their erring members for court trial.
"Can we expect the NPA to punish its ranking leaders who sat down to decide on the case against (Vicente) Ferrazini?" Aguilar asked.
"Their admission that the murder of Ferrazini was a mistake is the best that they can do," Aguilar said. "But expect no turnover of their criminal members to the proper authority."
Aguilar said the rebel group claims to have its own system of punishing individuals -- the so-called kangaroo court. "Which is very flawed," Aguilar said.
"They have killed thousands of people when they purged their ranks in the 80's, but did they apologize to the families of these people?" Aguilar asked.
