RPA-ABB hits back at militant groups

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) fired back at militant groups, a day after the latter slammed it for "threatening presence" in the city.

RPA-ABB spokesman Caloy, in an interview with ABS-CBN-Iloilo at an undisclosed area, said his group did not pose any threat. The people should be threatened instead by persons "nga nagapanago sa saya sang (Iloilo) City Hall," or those who have connections with the militant groups.

Caloy said these persons should be investigated because they posed as allies of the government, received salary as well, but served for the benefit of the legal front organizations.

Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr., Police Regional Office-6 director, said the presence of RPA-ABB should not be a reason for alarm. "After all, if ever they violate the law, we investigate and file charges against them," he said, adding that there has been no ban against RPA-ABB members from entering the city or confining them to rural areas.

"We don't allow them to violate the law even if they signed a peace agreement with the government. We don't allow their wanton display of firearms," said Querol, reminding that there were some RPA-ABB members who were arrested for illegal possession of firearms before.

Querol however admitted getting reports of alleged extortion activities of the RPA-ABB, especially in Janiuay town that has been considered the group's bailiwick in Iloilo. He said his command are now looking into this matter.

Caloy said the ones violating the law were the other faction of the RPA-ABB group belonging to Ka Hugo. In recent months, there have been complaints against the RPA-ABB, especially on abduction and acting as goons to land owners in Iloilo towns.

Querol said there was also an incident where suspected RPA-ABB abducted a family in Cabatuan town. But the victims were released later that day. "After the incident, we investigated and filed charges against them," he added.

For now, the PRO-6 has no exact number on the RPA-ABB elements in Western Visayas. A profiling is now being done to determine the members and their leaders and the area where they were operating. The profiling also included members who possessed licensed firearms. - THE FREEMAN