Negros locals dangle reward for NPA purge

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Concerned citizens, not the government or the armed forces, are offering bounty to neutralize New People's Army rebels, members of private armed groups (PAGs), or any other terrorist groups, such as the Maute, that may attempt to penetrate Negros island, Major  General Jon Aying, Army's 3rd Infantry Division commander, said on Thursday.

Aying said an informant who may be able to give information to the military on the location or disposition of NPA rebels, PAGs or any other lawless armed groups that may result to successful operations will get a reward. The amount would depend on number of personalities neutralized.

The bounty only applies to NPA members and other lawless groups existing in Negros, said Aying.

The move of concerned Negrenses to offer bounty that would help lead to the "neutralization" of terror organizations, especially the NPA, among other armed groups, has been welcomed by the security sector.

Military records showed that more than 100 individuals, majority of them civilians, had been killed by the NPA in Negros since 2010. Aying was then the deputy commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, and became its commander two years after.

The NPA earlier claimed responsibility for the ambush of six policemen and civilian in Guihulngan City, the liquidation of a former Army soldier in Canlaon City, both in Negros Oriental; as well as the ambush-slay of a sugar planter and his driver in Calatrava and the summary execution of a former leader of the NPA splintered group in Salvador Benedicto, both in Negros Occidental.

Progressive lawmakers have condemned the offering of bounty for NPA rebels, claiming that it might result to the increase of human rights violations in the country.

Anakpawis Party-list Representative Ariel Casilao warned that such reward offer will increase human rights violations as it will blur the line between armed rebels and legitimate political dissenters and activists.

Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Carlos Zarate, in a statement, said the offer is an "invitation for [an] AFP killing spree."

"This is condemnable as it is gravely dangerous. It is tantamount to sanctioning murder for a fee and an open travesty of the rule of law," Zarate said.

Aying said communist rebels, either in active or inactive status, may also avail of rewards should they be able to facilitate the surrender of  their comrades. If they successfully manage to facilitate the surrender of three of  their colleagues, they will get P300,000.

The military estimates that there are about 200 NPA members operating in Negros.

Aying said he was told by the concerned Negrense donors that they can afford to pay if those 200 will surrender, and abandon the armed struggle.

He, however, clarified that there will a thorough evaluation in the giving of rewards.

"We have to be very sure that those subjected to this information are really bonafide members of the CPP-NPA, especially those hardened rebels," Aying said.

For NPA members who wish to surrender,  Aying said the provincial government of Negros Occidental is giving financial and livelihood assistance and housing units to them, on top of the national government assistance, as stipulated on the Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (FREEMAN)