NPA leader to face court

BANGUED, Abra, Philippines – Abra has been placed under tight security as Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army commander Jovencio Balweg Sr. faces the court tomorrow.

Balweg who will be brought from a safehouse at the Philippine National Police’s national headquarters at Camp Crame to Bangued, Abra’s capital town will be arraigned for rebellion and at least three more criminal charges in Abra.

The rebel leader will be arraigned at the sala of Regional Trial Court Branch 2 Judge Corpuz Cristi Alzate here tomorrow.

Abra police director Senior Superintendent Charlo Collado said they will employ maximum security to Balweg as well as his family who might be with him when he faces the court.

Several years ago, agents of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) brought alleged lower-ranking CPP-NPA leader Lorna Baba from Manila to Bangued via an armored personnel carrier to attend to her hearing also linked to the 1999 Conrado Balweg slaying here. Policemen were also placed on red alert during that time to avert any possible movement by NPAs out to snatch the alleged rebel leader from their custody. 

These measures (now) are employed amid possible threats on Balweg, including his former comrades in the NPA, authorities said.

Balweg Sr., accordingly an executive member of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Party Committee of the CPP-NPA and secretary of the Abra Regional Party Committee, was captured in Baguio City on May 18 for murder raps in connection with the Dec. 31, 1999 killing of his own brother – former rebel-priest turned paramilitiaman leader Conrado Balweg.

His capture was followed by the surrender of his wife-Carmen, also a top ranking CPP-NPA leader in Abra and his namesake – Jovencio Jr. – also another top ranking NPA leader in Abra. A week after, Jovencio Jr.’s wife also surrendered to Cordillera policemen.

Another five NPAs from Abra also gave up after the Balwegs, the police said.

Aside from Baweg Jr.’s former comrades in the CPP-NPA, threats on him are reportedly present from various sectors including families of NPA victims in Abra that includes policemen and government troopers.

These, notwithstanding the charges that will be leveled against him in connection with the slaying of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin in New Manila, Quezon City in December 2006 by supposed “guns-for-hire” linked to former Abra governor Vicente Valera.

Sources confirmed that Balweg Sr., who accordingly maintained very close alliances with Valera, will be formally included in the murder charge in the killing of Bersamin. He was reportedly mentioned by gunman Freddie Duppo as one of the conspirators in Bersamin’s killing.

Balweg Sr.’s lawyer Reynaldo Cortes, a seasoned defense counsel and veteran human rights lawyer, admitted that his client is specifically being linked to Bersamin’s murder but authorities will have to prove that in court.