Raps filed vs rebels who attacked Cebu town hall

CEBU - Criminal charges were filed the other day against 28 suspected rebels believed responsible for the raid on the Sogod town hall last week.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) charged the suspects, allegedly led by one Eduardo Sacamay, with robbery in band, rebellion and illegal possession of firearms, with the provincial prosecutor's office.

Sacamay, who disguised himself as an Army major during the attack, and four others -- Jimenez Malingin, Alberto Acerdin, Alberto Sancho and David Inot -- were identified by Sogod policemen who were disarmed and locked up by the raiders.

The CIDG is withholding the names of the rest of the suspects pending further investigation.

SPO1 Arsenio Coming identified Sacamay as the leader of the rebel band, and Acerdin as the rebel who locked him and his colleagues up at the municipal jail while offices at the Sogod town hall were being ransacked.

The rebels carted away several firearms and some P500,000 worth of municipal and police property. Some of the items were later recovered when the military launched hot pursuit operations.

The CIDG presented affidavits of police officers Crescente Bargamento, Jumamel Presillas, Eliezer Casinto and Ildefonso Montecillo, detailing the participation of the suspects in the raid.

In Cebu City, in spite of the "double red alert" raised because of the growing insurgency problem, top police officials are packing their bags for training seminars abroad, leaving behind a comprehensive plan to counter rebel attacks.

City police director Napoleon Sesante flew to New Mexico yesterday for a 12-day course on advance security.

His deputy director, Edison Ardaniel, is also taking a six-month leave starting May 25 to prepare for next year's bar examinations. He was appointed officer-in-charge last May 4, the day when Sesante's leave took effect.

Ardaniel, however, gave assurance that the police have drawn up "Oplan Universe" to counter threats of possible rebel attacks.

He ruled out speculations that tension in Mindanao will spill over in Cebu where, he said, Muslim communities are enjoying peace.

Operations chief Anthony Obenza said the modified action plan now includes reinforcement of special units such as the theft and robbery and homicide sections, CIDG and the vice squad.

Obenza said each unit is assigned a specific place to bloc the possible entry and exit points of rebels in the city.

In the town of Compostela, Mayor Panphil Frasco said there is no cause for alarm yet on the reactivation of communist groups in the north.

Frasco, however, said the Sogod raid has prompted the local police to be more vigilant. The town has also decided to tap barangay leaders for intelligence networking purposes.

According to Frasco, the raid served as a wake-up call to policemen. --