Alleged rebel sent to Negros, partner sent to hospital

CEBU, Philippines - The alleged high-ranking rebel official, Calixto Vistal, was transferred to the Negros Oriental Provincial Jail yesterday morning.

His live-in partner, Jimmyliza Badayos, who was arrested with him by the Cebu City Intelligence Branch Friday night was brought to Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Sunday evening as she has benign tumor.

Vistal, 38, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for murder.

He was accused of killing Basilio Casido, a member of the Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay Tayak in Siaton, Negros Oriental in May 2009.

Casido was shot dead while in a session inside the barangay hall.

Vistal and Badayos, 36, were arrested in Barangay Subangdaku after their work at the Euroforest Products Industries Inc., a lumber company in Wireless, Mandaue City.

Badayos was arrested after police recovered a gun and a grenade from her possession.

Vistal is allegedly commanding officer of the Kometing Rehiyon-Central Visayas while Badayos is reportedly former head of the communication and technical bureau of the group, which is based in Negros Oriental.

Lt. Col. Christopher Tampus, spokesman of the Central Command- Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that Vistal together with police escorts left Cebu City Police Office at 2:00 a.m. for Dumaguete City.

The group arrived at 7:45a.m. and Vistal was presented at the sala of Regional Trial Court Judge Roderick Maxino before he was committed to the Negros Oriental Provincial Jail.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch (CIB), said Badayos was left in Cebu City as she has to undergo treatment.

Santander said Badayos had abdominal pains Sunday evening that prompted them to seek medical attention.

“We did it for humanitarian reason. The doctor says she has myoma,” Santander said.

Badayos is now confined at the sub-critical ward of the VSMMC and needs blood transfusion.

“The PNP and the AFP are giving attention to her medical needs,” Santander explained. —/MBG (FREEMAN)