Rebel cop Rizal Alih dies

MANILA, Philippines - Rebel policeman Rizal Alih died after experiencing difficulty in breathing while detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, a police official said on Saturday.

 

PNP spokesperson Wilben Mayor said Alih, 70, was brought from his detention cell to the hospital around 6:15 p.m. on Friday after he complained of difficulty in breathing. 

 

Alih died around 6:45 p.m. but Mayor said he has yet to get an official report on the cause of death.

 

He said the PNP has provided assistance to Alih's relatives in bringing the remains to Zamboanga. 

 

Alih's body will be flown to Zamboanga by his members of his family and relatives around 11 a.m. today. 

 

In Jan. 3, 1989,  Alih and Muslim rebels led the siege of Camp Cawa-cawa in Zamboanga City, taking hostage Gen. Eduardo Batalla and his chief-of-staff Col. Romeo Abendan.

 

Aside from the two officials, more than a dozen people were killed in the Cawa-cawa siege. 

 

After three days of negotiations, government forces failed to convince Alih and his companions to surrender. An air strike was then ordered killing Alih’s cohorts, including the two officials.