Bailed out rebel leader tagged in bloody ambush

A rebel leader who was bailed out of jail last year is one of the suspects in the bloody ambush in Negros Occidental that killed nine persons, the Army said on Friday.

Cpt. Ryan Cayton, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd division, said Romeo Nanta is the head of the New People’s Army (NPA) regional operations command and is among those who will face multiple murder raps for the ambush.

“Nanta is suspected to have been involved in planning the La Castellana (Negros Occidental) ambush,” Cayton said in a statement. 

Cayton said Nanta was arrested on Nov. 7 2011 in Cadiz City by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion, robbery in band, attempted and frustrated murder.

Citing police records, Cayton said Nanta was behind the ambush of a government vehicle last July 13, 2009 that left three civilians dead in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

“He was bailed out last year, Feb 21 2012, by Fred Cana of Karapatan-Negros for P100,000 for his robbery-in-band case,” Cayton said.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander of the Army’s 3rd division, said Nanta has rejoined the NPA after being freed.

“We call on the Karapatan group to bring him out and face charges and help the victims attain justice that is due to them,” Mabanta said.

“Karapatan should also be held liable for the release of a suspect. Their actions have led to this La Castellana ambush,” he added.

Nine persons were killed and nine others were hurt in an attack staged by suspected rebels Sunday morning in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

Police reports said the victims were traversing barangay Puso on board a Fuzo Center truck when they were waylaid by armed men at around 3:45 a.m.

The incident happened despite the implementation of a nationwide election gun ban that started last Jan. 13.