Davao guerrilla yields P1.2 M in NPA funds

A 20-year-old communist rebel yielded P1.2 million in what he claimed were "operational funds" of the New People’s Army (NPA) when he gave himself up to the Davao City police last Feb. 9, reports reaching Camp Crame said.

The guerrilla, identified as Avelino Llevado Palomado, alias Trosky and Toto, said the money, kept in bundles inside his knapsack, were intended for NPA cadres operating in Digos, Davao del Sur.

In South Cotabato, NPA rebels staged separate attacks on military outposts in Tulunan and Makilala towns last Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving a number of guerrillas dead, the military said.

This, as peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front in Oslo, Norway bogged down over the communists’ demand for the scrapping of their "terrorist tag."

Palomado said he belonged to the NPA unit headed by Commander Hakhak which operates in Davao del Sur and in Bukidnon towns of Quezon, Managok, Coloman and Impalotao.

He said a certain Ka Jojo asked him to deliver the money, accompanied by two fellow comrades, whom he identified as Ka Marlon and Ka Roderick. The two fled when they sensed that he was surrendering to authorities.

Palomado yielded to joint elements of the police Regional Mobile Group and the Task Force Davao, which was formed after the twin bombings in Davao City last year.

In Nueva Ecija, a 52-year-old NPA amazon, Tessie Abellara, was arrested for the abduction-killing of one Honorio Gonzaga in Lupao town in June 2002.

Abellara, secretary of the Sangay ng Partido sa Baryo (PB-4) in Barangay Parista, Lupao, is now detained in San Jose City. — With Roel Pareño