Arrested NPA leader moved to Bacolod jail

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines  — Ten days after his arrest in Cadiz City, 54- year-old Romeo Nanta, the alleged top commander of the New People's Army (NPA) in Negros, was transferred last Nov. 17 to the Bacolod City District Jail (BCDJ).

Nanta, who was arrested last Nov. 7 and initially detained in San Carlos City District Jail and later in Escalante City District Jail, was moved to the BCDJ for security reason, according to Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander.

Lactao said Nanta was moved to BCDJ also for easier access to court hearings for other charges in Himamaylan City in southern Negros.

Four charges – robbery-in-band, attempted murder, murder and arson-were filed against Nanta, and he could not post bail for his temporary liberty because some of the charges are non-bailable, said Lactao.

Nanta has denied he was a leader of the NPA in Negros but former rebels, who surrendered to the government, have positively identified him as one of the top NPA commanders, Lactao said.

Survivor-victims of Nanta and his group have also came out and issued sworn affidavits to strengthen the case against the alleged NPA commander, he said.

The daughter of an army sergeant, who had personally witnessed the execution of his father by Nanta's group, had issued an affidavit against the rebel leader who she identified also as the leader of the NPA group that raided the military detachment, Lactao said.

Based on the CPP-NPA organizational structure, Nanta was reportedly the third highest official of the CPP-NPA in Negros Island and the commander of the Regional Operational Command, also known as Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, which leads the NPA's entire armed unit operating in Negros island.

Military and police records further showed that Nanta was linked to the following:

1) bombing of Globe Telecom towers in Toboso and Cauayan towns; 2) raid of police and military detachments in Escalante and Toboso in 2006 and 2010; 3) burning and bombing of two transloading stations in Toboso and the Victorias Milling Company in Victorias City; 4) raid of a police station in La Libertad, Negros Oriental; 5) ambush of civilians in Brgy. Salamanca of Toboso; and 6) harassment of a detachment in Brgy. Villegas, Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.