Rebel turned mayor tops NPA hit list

CORDILLERA – A former rebel turned politician is now on top of the list of people wanted killed by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Mailed Molina, mayor of Bucloc town in Abra, is said to be in the "priority list" of communist rebels here for murder.

A certain Ka Sugpon, who heads the NPA’s Leonardo Pacsi Command here, said the rebels have been instructed to kill Molina if they get the chance.

"Molina and his lieutenants have been involved in crimes against the people," Sugpon claimed, adding that the Abra mayor stands as "live targets" of NPA operations.

He accused Molina of instigating conflicts among tribes here, citing as example the ongoing war between the Betwagan of the Mountain Province and the Bugnay tribe of Kalinga. The conflict between the two, which began in December, had already left at least four people dead.

Molina used to be an NPA leader. He, along with former priest Conrado Balweg, bolted the organization to put up the militia group Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA).

He was last seen fighting the government when he lead militiamen in marching down in Baguio City five years ago. From then on, he has opted to live a normal life and ran for mayor instead.

Molina could not be reached for comment as of press time.