THE family of Baltasar Saldo, who was arrested after he was mistaken for a leader of the New People's Army, is considering charges against the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army.
Saldo's brother Nilo said charges might be filed against PNP Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) and the Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion.
Saldo's family is demanding that retiring PRO-6 Director John Bulalacao apologize for presenting Saldo to members of the media in Iloilo as a wanted communist rebel leader.
Saldo was presented before the court in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. During the presentation, however, the prosecutor found that the witness had not executed an affidavit linking Saldo to a certain Virgilio Paragan, who is accused of murder and frustrated murder.
Police Lt. Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said they respect the decision of the court, adding they also do not want to incarcerate innocent individuals.
Based on information provided by Bulalacao, Paragan served as commanding officer of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Roger Mahinay Command from 2000 to 2004.
Paragan is accused of involvement in a string of killings and ambush incidents that targeted police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit.
He is also considered a wanted terrorist by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of National Defense. The two departments have placed a P1.05-million bounty on Paragan’s head. (Teresa D. Ellera)