Monday, March 01, 2004
Military: NPA collected P100-T in revolutionary taxes in Capiz
By Ruby P. Silubrico
* Rebel killed in Dumarao clash identified
THE NEW People's Army's (NPA) Panay Eastern Front Committee already collected P100,000 in revolutionary taxes in Capiz alone.
This was disclosed by Maj. Oscar Lasangue, spokesperson of the Philippine Army's Task Force Panay, who said the amount came from businessmen, politicians and even farmers.
Despite this, he said, some NPA members continue to suffer from hunger because "only their leaders earn money."
Earlier, Lasangue said the NPA does not only collect permit-to-campaign fees but campaign-to-win fees as well.
They also demand for high-powered firearms and food supplies.
Slain rebel identified
Meanwhile, the military already identified the NPA guerilla who died during an encounter against the Task Force Panay troopers last Tuesday in Sitio Tuwang-Tuwangan, Barangay Bungsuan, Dumarao, Capiz.
Ferdinand Elicana, a resident of Malonoy Grande, Dao, Capiz, was a member of the Eastern Front Committee.
Lasangue said Elicana's mother, Leticia, identified his body last Friday.
Elicana's group is led by Romulo Gangoso alias Ka Reagan.
His companion who was wounded, Arlan Tarino of Negros Occidental, is now confined at Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City.
On the government side, injured was Pfc. Charlie Palomado, 27, who belongs to the Scout Ranger group.
The group of 1st Lt. Manolito Belliza recovered several high powered-firearms and ammunition from the encounter site believed to be owned by the rebels.
Lasangue said despite reports that Ka Reagan's group will stage a counter-attack, the military will not deploy augmentation forces.
"We know our men are always ready and well-trained," he said.
(March 1, 2004 issue)
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