Arrest of retired rebel in Kalinga violates ceasefire, NPA says

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Authorities have arrested a "retired" communist rebel in Kalinga, irking communist rebels who are now saying the government has violated the ceasefire.

 

Communist rebels under the Lejo Cawilan Command are accusing soldiers and police of brushing aside the ceasefire when they arrested 73-year-old Marcos Aggalao, who used the nom de guerre “Ka Munroe” and retired from the movement in 2012 because of old age.

 

Ka Tipon Gil-ayab, spokesperson of the New People's Army command based in Kalinga, said Aggalao was illegally arrested in Balbalan town on Sept. 11.  Aside from his age, he suffers from hypertension and ulcers, the rebel spokesperson said.

 

The NPA claims that the old man’s arrest violated the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law because of his age, his ailments and the fact that he is no longer a combatant.

 

Gil-ayab also accused government of fabricating criminal charges against Aggalao and said this was tantamount to sabotaging the recently resumed peace negotiations between the government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which represents the rebels.

 

Both sides have declared indefinite unilateral ceasefires and have committed to working towards a bilateral ceasefire during the next round of talks in October.

 

The CPP-NPA in Kalinga urged authorities to release Aggalao in the spirit of the peace talks. It also called on the Philippine Army and government militia units to suspend all armed operations.

 

Earlier,  the Philippine Army declared that soldiers from the 50th Infantry Battalion led by Captain Luis Banoey Jr helped police officers look for Aggalao. It said Aggalao has an outstanding warrant of arrest for murder under Criminal Case No. 81-2012 issued by Judge Marcelino Wakas of Regional Trial Court Branch 25 of Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga.

 

Aggalao was accompanied to the police headquarters in Kalinga by village councilor Gener Dap-at, his nephew.