A MILITANT group assailed the rebel tag on its leader, who is allegedly getting supply of guns from Senior Police Officer 1 Joshua Barile, who was arrested for illegal possession of firearms, explosives and drugs.
Dolly Celedonio, secretary-general of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), said in a statement Thursday that their leader Albert Lacerna is not a district commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) in central Negros.
“He (Lacerna) is a district coordinator of KMP in the Fourth District. He runs a small business in La Carlota City with his wife. His main source of livelihood is in food catering,” the statement said, adding that the accusations against Lacerna put him and his family in danger and they fear for their lives.
Citing the report of Karapatan, the group said that 88 farmers and peasant leaders in the Philippines are victims of extrajudicial killings.
They said the accusations against Lacerna are a form of direct assault to the peasant movement.
Barile is facing charges for illegal possession of firearms, explosives and ammunition before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
He vehemently denied the accusations against him. (MPE)