THE New People’s Army (NPA) has claimed responsibility for the ambush that wounded former Mayor Ananias Rebato of San Jose de Buan, Samar, saying the latter “was found guilty” by the “people’s court.”
The ambush on October 8 by four unidentified gunmen killed one of the former mayor’s bodyguards, Severino Tesoro Jr.
Rebato is under treatment in a hospital in Tacloban City.
One of the assailants was also killed by Rebato’s men after they fought back during the attack, while a second man was arrested by the police.
“This also serves as a warning to him and his henchmen who might retaliate against innocent civilians,” read the press statement from the NPA’s Arnulfo Ortiz Command dated October 9 which is also posted on its website.
The group accused the 57-year-old former mayor of “rape and multiple sexual harassments,” “counter-revolutionary activities,” and “massive corruption of public funds.”
Rebato, who is rumored to run in the 2019 local elections, served as mayor from 2007 to 2016.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) based in Catbalogan City, Samar belied the accusations of the NPA against Rebato.
Captain Francis Agno, chief of the army’s division public affairs office, reiterated that Rebato “is a good man.”
“The ex-Mayor is not an Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) member. The accusations are invented,” the army spokesperson told Sunstar Philippines.
Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, the Philippine National Police (PNP) director in Eastern Visayas, also ordered his men to “track and arrest” the two remaining perpetrators.