Nueva Vizcaya solon denies captured NPA’s claim of aiding rebels

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Nueva Ecija Rep. Eleuterio Violago vehemently denied yesterday claims of a captive New People’s Army (NPA) rebel that he (Violago) was aiding the underground movement with arms, foods and cash.

"It’s all lies. I can’t recall giving any form of assistance to the rebels," Violago said, disputing the statement of NPA captive Hernando Manipon Jr. that he is giving assistance to the rebels.

He said that the accusations were "just pure imagination of somebody who wants to discredit me before the eyes of the government."

"Why should I be helping them (NPA). I don’t need to appease anybody. Wala akong kinatatakutan. Wala akong ina-agrabyadong tao. Wala akong dapat itago," the solon said in a cell phone interview.

Violago said that he never gave firearms or any form of assistance to advance the interest of the rebels or any lawless groups in the country.

"I don’t give arms. I’m only extending livelihood assistance not for rebels but to our law-abiding constituents," he said. He also defended Mayor Luvimindo Otic of Carranglan town in Nueva Ecija of the same accusations.

Last Saturday, the 29-year-old Manipon alias Ka Daniel accused several Nueva Ecija officials, including Violago, of aiding the NPA rebels with arms, foods and money.

Manipon, who was captured by elements of the Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion (IB) while on a recruitment mission in Carranglan town in Nueva Ecija last Aug. 23, alleged that he personally saw and met Violago in several instances while delivering arms to them somewhere in Carranglan area.

Violago, the captured rebel further claimed, has also been extending regular food and cash assistance to their group.

Army Col. Dacy Mariñas, chief of the 54th IB here, said that Manipon belongs to the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda of the NPA’s Nueva Ecija Front Committee. — Charlie Lagasca