Friday, June 08, 2007 AFP blames RPA-ABB's uncoordinated move By Ruby P. Silubrico
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) blamed the armed members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) for the death of their member and for having two others hurt in an encounter in La Carlota City in Negros Occidental.
Captain Lowen Gil Marquez of the Army Civil Relations Unit said if only the members of the RPA-ABB had coordinated to the nearest police stations or to the AFP regarding their operation, the clash that resulted to the death of a civilian would have been avoided.
Marquez added it's the fourth time that the RPA-ABB did not inform the PNP or the AFP of their presence in an area.
The first happened in Lawaan, Antique, where eight RPA members were nabbed and in San Joaquin in the same province, where eight members, by accident, were also seized.
The recent was the capture of RPA leaders, Demetrio "Ka Hugo" Capilastique, his brother Jessie, and brothers Romulo and Cerilo Cutanta, in a checkpoint at Sta. Barbara, four days before the election.
Recovered were high-powered firearms and ammunition that qualified them to a case of gun ban violation.
The case in La Carlota, which resulted to the death of Romulo Estancia and wounded Noli Escaluna and Arnel Cutomares, was named the "worst encounter," between the RPA-ABB and the government force, which agreed for a ceasefire few years ago.
The RPA members were found with high-powered firearms and because the election is not yet over, they would be facing a case of violating the gun ban.
