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Sunday, December 28, 2003
RPA-ABB, NPA conflict escalates
By Jimmy P. Abayon
CONFLICT between the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - New People's Army (NPA) and its breakaway faction Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) escalated anew with both sides attacking each other through press statements triggered by the recent NPA attack of an RPA-ABB base in Kakha, Sta. Catalina, last December 16.
In its press statement released immediately after the attack that left two RPA-ABB dead, an NPA South-Eastern Negros Front spokesperson described the morning attack as "punishment" against paramilitary forces harassing villagers in Kakha.
It said the NPA disarmed the RPA-ABB third district base led by Alfonso Dagodog because the group was behind a series of hold-ups, thefts, cattle rustling, and illegal drug trafficking.
Moreover, it accused the breakaway group as an instrument of businessman Eduardo Cojuangco and Gov. George Arnaiz to enforce projects that threaten to dislocate farmers.
The statement added the 12 firearms NPA confiscated from RPA-ABB were amassed by the revolutionary movement since the late 60s.
On the other hand, in his press statement, Central Visayas RPA-ABB commanding officer Rey Mallari, said the attack was not an NPA victory but only reflected its "bankrupt" position.
Mallari disclosed that the RPA-ABB has attacked the NPA thrice this year, but it had not killed any of its captives.
However, the NPA band that raided the Kakha base disarmed, tied up, and shot dead Erlito Potestas, team leader of the RPA-ABB in the area, he claimed.
The claim, however, contradicted a statement by Governor George Arnaiz in his recent annual Christmas press conference that Potestas died at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City after succumbing to bullet wounds.
Mallari said the NPA had to resort to violence and to recruiting criminals since the "masses" have rejected its ideology.
He said that among the NPA's criminal recruits that attacked the RPA-ABB Kakha base were Raul Villar and Julo Amaro, former RPA-ABB members who returned to the mainstream rebel movement following the 2002 Bayawan City payroll heist that left several people dead.
Mallari said the attack reflected the NPA's continuing adherence to its protracted war policy.
Moreover, he claimed the NPA is harassing the "masses" to force them to vote for its Party List front in the coming election.
(December 28, 2003 issue)
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