Rebel inmate now in CentCom

CEBU, Philippines - The official of the New People’s Army who was detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) was already transferred to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (CentCom) yesterday morning.

CPDRC jail guards escorted Ramon Patriarca to the CentCom stockade.

As part of its security measure, CentCom is diverting all vehicles to an alternative route from 10:00p.m. to 6:00a.m.

Patriarca is unhappy of his transfer and vows to continue with his hunger strike, which is reportedly on seventh day now.

“Bisan hatagan lang ko nila ug tubig, kamay o asin okay na,” Patriarca said. (I’ll make do with water, sugar or salt.)

A check by the CentCom resident physician showed Patriarca’s sugar count to be 76, lower than the normal 100.

Patriarca was transferred because of reports that he was trying to influence his fellow inmates about their beliefs. He had denied this, saying he was only telling the other detainees about some issues.

He said each inmate has a budget of P80 per meal but they were just given a meal worth less than P40.

Lt. Col. Christopher Tampus, spokesperson of the CentCom, said the CPDRC provided them with Patriarca’s one-month meal budget. Tampus said the inmates’ relatives are welcome to visit him.

Patriarca was arrested on February 5, 2009 in Barangay Casili, Consolacion by virtue of an arrest warrant for rebellion signed by Judge Sylvia Paderanga of the Regional Trial Court Branch 25.

Patriarca was deputy secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas and finance officer and head of the NPA’s taxation bureau based in Negros Island. – (FREEMAN)