NPA leader freed from jail

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An alleged commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental who was arrested in November last year, was released from prison yesterday after posting bail of P100,000.

Romeo Nanta, 54, whom the military tagged as the head of the NPA’s Regional Operations Command, was given temporary liberty after he posted bail for the robbery-in-band charges yesterday, according to Supt. Felixberto Jagorin, warden of the Negros Occidental District Jail in Bago City where Nanta was jailed.

Superintendent Arnel Arpon of the Cadiz City Police said Nanta’s motion to be granted bail for robbery-in-band charges was approved by Judge Renato Munez.

Last week, Capt. Reylan Java, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division, said families of Nanta’s alleged victims were anxious about his release, and they feared for their personal safety because they believe that Nanta will get back at them once freed from prison.

Nanta was arrested by joint police and military elements last Nov. 7 at Brgy. Zone 2 in Cadiz City by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion, robbery-in-band, attempted and frustrated murder issued by three different courts in Negros Occidental.

Java said that based on military and police records, Nanta was responsible for the ambush of a government-owned vehicle at Brgy. Salamanca in Toboso, Negros Occidental on July 13, 2009.

Eryl Baynosa, 42, one of the survivors and son of Eriberto Baynosa, former barangay chairman of Salamanca, pointed to Nanta as the leader of the armed men who staged the ambush.

The incident also claimed the lives of Edmar Sultan, 14, a student of the Toboso National High School, Rodolfo Salipod, 56, driver of the barangay service vehicle, and Ena Pata, 50.

Aside from the crimes he was accused of, reports stated that Nanta was responsible for the raid and disarming of the 1st Provincial Mobile Group detachment at Barangay Malasibog, Escalante on March 19, 2006; harassment of Villegas Detachment at Barangay Villegas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental on April 2006; arson incident at the Victorias Milling Company and Central Lopez transloading station at Barangay San Jose, Toboso on March 2008; and the burning of the Globe Telecom cell site in Purok Mabuhay, Barangay Poblacion, Toboso, Negros Occidental.

The list also includes the attack of La Libertad Police Station in Negros Oriental in 2008; raid of ECJ farm at Barangay Suay, Himamaylan on February 2009; raid of Polopangyan detachment located in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso on August 10, and for disarming and sabotage of VMC pump station in Barangay 20, Victorias City on October 2010. - THE FREEMAN