Alleged rebel probed over encounters, raid

CEBU - Authorities are now looking into the alleged participation of a recently arrested suspected communist rebel in the encounters in Oriental Negros in September.

Regional Intelligence Division Chief Melvin Ramon Buenafe said they received information that 48-year-old Dario Inot- alias PG, Allen, Kenny or David- had participated in the September encounters in Sta. Catalina, Oriental Negros and in the raid at the Sogod Municipal Hall in 2000. Inot was arrested in his residence in Lapu-Lapu City late evening Saturday and was transferred to the Danao City Jail yesterday.

The arrest came after the Regional Trial Court of Danao City issued a warrant against him for simple rebellion in relation to the assault at the Sogod Municipal Hall.

In an interview, Inot denied his membership to the rebel group and said he is merely a recruiter of the political party Partido ng Bayan.

He, nevertheless, admitted being in prison for 11 years for killing a policeman in Mandaue City in 1987. He served time at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa from 1987 to 1998.

Inot also admitted knowing Edgardo Sacamay and Ricardo Villarmea who were recently arrested by police. Sacamay, secretary of the Central Visayas Regional Party Committee, was arrested last year for participating in the Sogod raid.

Roderos said two Sogod policemen have identified Inot as one of those who raided their station.

It is believed that the seat of the CVRPC of the New People’s Army transferred from Bohol province to Oriental Negros where there is still prevalence of landlord-tenant gaps and other forms of social injustice and oppression. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO

 (THE FREEMAN)