Kintanar slay suspect surrenders, denies tag

For fear of his life, a former cadre of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered himself to the Philippine National Police-Intelligence Group yesterday to clear his name in connection with the killing of former NPA chieftain Romulo Kintanar.

Melchor Bartolome, 54, said he and his family have been severely affected when he was linked by the police investigators to the Kintanar assassination.

"Kabado talaga ako, at ang mga kamaganak ko," Bartolome told The STAR yesterday.

Bartolome surrendered to PNP Intelligence Group director Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal last Saturday to seek protection.

"He fears for his life. He sought the help of his colleagues at the Couple’s for Christ to get in touch with authorities," Caringal said.

Bartolome was among the two cadres tagged by PNP director for intelligence Chief Superintendent Robert Delfin as the individuals involved in Kintanar’s killing.

When asked about what he knew about Kintanar’s killers, Bartolome denied involvement in the assassination.

"Wala akong kinalaman sa pagkamatay ni Rolly Kintanar," he said, adding, that he did not know the man personally.

Bartolome’s wife, Yolly, told The STAR that she and her four children were having sleepless nights.

Unidentified men have been seen conducting surveillance operations at the vicinity of the Bartolome residence in Quilao, Pililia, Rizal, but Yolly said they were unsure if those were members of the police, the NPA and or supporters of the slain Kintanar.

Bartolome claimed he quit the movement 27 years ago.

Bartolome admitted that he was an active labor leader in the 1970s and was part of the strike force of labor unions.

He later worked as machine operator and mechanic in several companies in Metro Manila up to 2001 until he stopped after learning about his coronary heart disease and hypertension.