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Monday, May 19, 2008
Farmers accuse militant leader of 'extortion'
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
BACOLOD CITY -- Several farmers from Barangay Linantuyan have filed complaints against a militant leader at the Guihulngan Philippine National Police (PNP) Station in Oriental Negros.
Named respondent was Lourdes Baloy, chairman of the militant peasant group Pagkahiusa sa Mangunguma sa Barangay Linantuyan (Pamabali), a sub-group of the larger Kaugmaon-Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipas (KMP) based in Barangay Linantuyan, Guihulngan City.
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Baloy was charged by Regie Erojo, Genaro Prasio Ferolino, Lolito Castillo and Magdalena Brionas for alleged grave threats with elements of coercion and extortion.
The complainants stated that Baloy was allegedly using members of the New People's Army (NPA) to intimidate them at gunpoint in order to do her bidding.
They also alleged that Baloy asked them to collect revolutionary taxes from their neighbors and family members. Each household was reportedly required to give 10 percent of their food consumption as revolutionary taxes to sustain the NPA under the service of Baloy.
Pio Talledo Mata, one of the complainants, admitted that he was escorted by 12 armed rebels Baloy has provided to collect foodstuffs from his neighbors.
Talledo claimed that he did as he was told out of fear for his life and his family.
First Lieutenant Mark Andrew Posadas, commander of Bravo Company, 11IB who oversees the SOT operation in Guihulngan City said: "More and more victims of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front) from the City of Guihulngan are speaking out and taking action against militant organizations."
Lieutenant Colonel Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of 11IB, also declared: "In light of these current developments, it is now evident that these militant groups are now irrelevant to the masses they purportedly serve. It is through the efforts of the 11th Infantry Battalion and the Guihulngan PNP that these complaints were given light. Without the presence of the military in Barangay Linantuyan, these farmers would not have the courage to speak out against the NPA and the militant organizations that sustain them." (Sun.Star Bacolod/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (May 19, 2008 issue)
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