NPA rebels seize gov't soldier in Davao del Norte
SOLDIER CAPTURED. NPA rebels have captured a soldier in Davao del Norte on May 3, 2014, for alleged involvement in a logging syndicate. File photo by Karlos Manlupig
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two weeks after communist guerrillas released an Army sergeant in Compostela Valley, the New People's Army (NPA) announced that it has captured another soldier in Davao del Norte for alleged involvement in a logging syndicate in Southern Mindanao.
Ka Aris Francisco, spokesperson of the NPA's Comval-North Davao South Agusan subregional Command, said the rebels seized Corporal Rogelio Rosales of the 60th Infantry Battalion at around 7 am on Saturday, May 3, in Barangay Florida in Kapalong town.
Francisco accused Rosales' unit of "coddling and protecting massive logging in Agusan del Sur, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte provinces."
"Prisoner of War Rosales was in the process of arranging for the transit of logs when apprehended by the NPA," he said, and further alleged that Rosales was found in possession of a sachet of the illegal drug methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
Francisco claimed that Rosales is part of "gang of soldiers under the 60th IB-72nd IB-Big 4" allegedly involved in a logging syndicate in Southern Mindanao and the Caraga region.
The NPA had earlier detained Sergeant Jeric Bucio Curay of the 7nd Infantry Battalion from April 4 to April 23 for the same allegation.
The NPA said the "Big 4" has changed its name to "TANGGO" to "continue the operations of their logging syndicate and in an attempt to evade NPA sanction."
The NPA alleged that the group includes Laak Mayor Reynaldo Navarro, Senior Police Officer 3 Eduardo Bajalia and Simplicio Samar, and retired police officer Diosdado Wamilda.
"They secretly ferret out the logs along the highway at night and bring it to the TPPMC Cuambugan plywood plant; Retired Police officer Wamilda is in charge of the illegal logs transaction at the plant," Francisco accused.
He identified a certain Nonoy Magandam as the person who allegedly buys the logs in Trento town.
"Prices of the logs are controlled, manipulated and dictated by the Big 4, oftentimes cheating small-scale and petty loggers and small owners," Francisco alleged.
The NPA asserted that the capture of Rosales is part of the revolutionary movement's punitive sanctions against anyone who disregards their total log ban policy.
"In the face of brazen abuse of power and wanton disregard of the environmental preservation, the NPA perseveres in imposing its total log ban campaign and carrying out punitive sanctions against the AFP and the big logging lords," Francisco said. – Rappler.com
