Military: Karapatan leader’s resignation affects NPA

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division considered the resignation of Fred Caña from being the secretary-general of Karapatan-Negros a big blow to the rebel movement in Negros island.

Major Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr., 3rd ID commander, said Caña’s decision to call it quits was “a good development because it shows that Karapatan leadership is facing a precarious position and disunity.”

Reports reaching the military said Caña opted to leave his post after a series of deliberate attacks launched by the New People’s Army.

Varied sources claimed Caña’s resignation was an offshoot of the pressures put on him after the La Castellana ambush-massacre and his inability to bail out low-level NPA members.

He was also believed to figure in a misunderstanding with some party members where his voice, on certain matters, was not taken into consideration. As it was, the military said Karapatan has been in quandary on who to fill Caña’s post.

Despite Caña’s resignation, though, Mabanta said that justice was still a long way. “They have yet to surrender the suspects whom Caña has bailed out, especially the suspects of La Castellana ambush-massacre,” he said.

Since 2006, 3rd ID records showed Karapatan-Negros, through Caña, bailed out NPA suspects in the amount of around P2.4 million. These suspects were charged for frustrated murder, attempted murder, robbery in band and arson.

Last year, Caña bailed out three NPA members who were suspects in robbery-in-band cases. They were Romeo Nanta, Faith Roseen Basirgo, alias Bea/Hannah, and Hernando Llorente, alias Otoy/Adoy.

Meanwhile, Col. Oscar Lactao, commander of the military forces in Negros Occidental, has called on Karapatan members to take a look at the La Castellana massacre. “Is this kind of action consistent with your advocacy and principles of human rights and international humanitarian law?” he asked.  (FREEMAN)