Cops seize firearms, explosives from ‘Reds’

MANILA, Philippines — Firearms, explosives and cash were confiscated from alleged communist rebels during simultaneous operations in Quezon City and Bulacan, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said they also seized posters of Gabriela and Bayan Muna party-lists.

The militant groups, however, said the posters were planted as a “red-tagging gimmick.”

The PNP arrested this week six alleged communist leaders wanted for murder, homicide and arson.

On Wednesday, Gabriela disowned the posters, saying the typographical errors in the streamers raised suspicion that these were planted by the police.

“We categorically disown the tarpaulins with the slogan ‘Para sa Babe (sic), Bata at Bayan.’ Our original slogan is ‘Para sa Babae, Bata at Bayan.’ Maybe the police officers have been so accustomed to using ‘babe’ in their relations with several women or they were rushing to print the fake posters without checking,” Gabriela said.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ferro maintained that the operations were legitimate.

“We made an inventory of the streamers, guns and explosives in the presence of barangay officials,” Ferro said. “The PNP does not authorize planting of evidence and red-tagging.”

Ferro said the CIDG is open to any investigation.

He accused the party-list groups of trying to discredit the police.

“The PNP will not be daunted by these allegations and will continue to stand for truth and justice,” Ferro said.