3 punks cleared of any links with communists

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Police and military units in Davao City have cleared three of 11 punks arrested and charged for allegedly raiding an Army detachment in Mankayan town, of any links with the communist movement.

Cleared of any links with the New People’s Army (NPA) in written certifications were Rundren Berloize Lao, 24; Jethro Villagracia, 25; and Anderson Alonzo, 18.

Two weeks ago, the Benguet regional trial court ruled that the punks’ arrest were illegal and subsequently ordered the release "on recognizance" of two of them, both minors.

Police tagged Lao as the leader of the punks supposedly comprising the NPA band that attacked the military’s Mankayan detachment last Feb. 10. The punks were arrested at a checkpoint while hitching a ride on a dumptruck bound for Sagada.

In a written certification, the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Davao City’s Malagos district cleared Lao, Villagracia and Alonzo of any communist links.

The certification, which the families of the three punks had secured, further stated that the three have "no derogatory records as far as this office is concerned as of this date."

Issued by Pfc. Giovanne Baltar, intelligence officer of the 73rd IB last May 15, it stated that the three "(are) not members of the local communist terrorist movement" operating in Southern Mindanao.

Capt. Shane Animas, the military command’s intelligence officer, duly noted the certification.

In another certification dated April 17, Chief Inspector Dionisio Abude, commander of Precinct 10 in Calinan, Davao City, where the Lao family resides, said the 24-year-old punk has no derogatory record.

Senior Inspector Adriano Agonia, chief of Baguio City’s Precinct 11, did the same for Villagracia and Alonzo in his certification.

Their respective barangay leaders also certified their "good moral character," saying they have not been charged with any offense, civil or criminal.

Calinan barangay captain Pedrito Angco issued such a certification for Lao, while Malagos barangay chairman Arnel Liong did so for Villagracia and Alonzo.

Pablito Sanidad, national chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) which has been assisting the 11 punks, said these certifications should be a cause for alarm for the Benguet policemen who arrested them.

FLAG lawyers have filed criminal and administrative charges against the policemen.