2 in Labor Day destab plot not NPA rebs?

Relatives of two of the six suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members arrested in Cavite last Friday for allegedly plotting to disrupt Labor Day rallies, accused the police of apprehending the wrong men.

Relatives of Enrico Ybanez, 59, and Michael Masayes, 29, both of Tagaytay City, went to Camp Crame in Quezon City to clarify that the two had no links with the NPA.

Ybanez and Masayes could be the two unnamed persons who were picked up along with Ares Sarmiento, alias Ka Marsing/Benny; Marvin Galang, alias Jofel/Kelly; Axel Alejandro Pinpin, alias Andoy; and Riel Custodio, alias Gerald, in Barangay Sungay, Tagaytay City last Friday.

"Two other (men) accompanying the group were also taken into custody for clarificatory questions," Senior Superintendent Aaron Fidel, Philippine National Police intelligence chief, said in a report to PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao.

Ybanez’s son Enmar told reporters that the last time he saw his father was at about 5:30 p.m. last Friday before the latter left for Talisay, Batangas.

Enmar said what he knows is that somebody had hired a white Mitsubishi Lancer (with license plate PAS-456) to go to Talisay, Batangas.

"We never heard anything from him since and we were surprised to see him and his friend Masayes on television being presented as NPA members," he said.

Enmar said his father, a former seaman, is not an NPA member.

"May dalang pera ang tatay ko pero pampagamot ‘yon ng nanay ko (My father had money but that was for the medical treatment of my mother)," he said.

Josephine Torres, Ybanez’s sister-in-law, appealed to President Arroyo to release her brother-in-law, insisting that he is just an ordinary civilian and not a communist rebel.

Their lawyer, Atty. Don Ybanez, said they have talked to PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. who, in turn, referred them to Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble, Calabarzon police director.