'A defensive act,' RPA-ABB commander says of Janiuay killings

By Florence F. Hibionada
Correspondent

Demetrio Capilastique a.k.a. “Ka Hugo”, RPA-ABB Panay Island Commander, interviewed by Edwin Laruan of Bombo Radyo and TNT's Florence Hibionada. A.Chris Fernandez Photo

A top official of the once dreaded Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) owned up to Sunday's killings of two barangay tanods in Janiuay, Iloilo.

With the latest mis-event feared to shake the ongoing peace process between said group and the government, Demetrio “Ka Hugo” Capilastique, RPA-ABB Panay Island Commander said what happened was one isolated and unfortunate incident.

In an interview, Ka Hugo explained to The News Today that it was never the barangay tanods who were target of the RPA-ABB's 'operation' in Sitio Sumandig, Barangay Calmay. The plan was for the 15-man RPA-ABB squad to effect the arrest of murder suspect Edwin Nasonaso. In the course of the plan's execution, Ka Hugo said his troops were fired upon by the armed barangay tanods reason why the back-up force of the RPA-ABB hit back.

Two barangay tanods were killed on the spot. Authorities identified the fatalities as 30 year-old Joel Loraña and 42 year-old Luduvico Matrido.

“Kita sang tropa nga ginatiro ang ila upod so nagdepensa lang ang sa back-up. Ang target sang operation amo si Nasonaso nga may standing warrant kag indi ang mga tanod. May demand sa komunidad nga dakpon na si Nasonaso kag bilang kabahin sang responsibilidad sang grupo, igapatuman namon ina (The troops saw their comrades fired upon so they fired back in defense. The target of the operation was Nasonaso who has a standing arrest warrant and not the tanods. There is a demand from the community to arrest Nasonaso and that is also part of our responsibility to implement that) , ” Ka Hugo explained.

Will he surrender his men then responsible for Sunday's killings? Ka Hugo said that is one matter that needs to be further discussed amongst the RPA-ABB hierarchy alongside his pending talk with the Philippine Army's Task Force Panay.

Until then, no such surrender is imminent though Ka Hugo said efforts are underway to ascertain RPA-ABB assistance to the victims' families.

“ Ginakasubo gid namon ang natabo. Isa ini ka circumstanya nga wala napa-iway (We are saddened on what happened. This is one circumstance that is out of our control),” he added.

Ka Hugo heads the RPA-ABB Panay Island faction recognized by the government in the long-standing peace talks. With known strongholds in the First, Second and Third district Iloilo towns, RPA-ABB troops have long provided security in hinterland barangays of the province. Ka Hugo begged off to give current count of his men though sources told TNT the number has since significantly increased particularly after last year's polls and the growing discontent against rural presence of the rebel communist group, New People's Army (NPA).

Among its daily operation is the arrest and turn-over of wanted criminals as well as those involved in illegal drugs and local presence of crime groups.

In a peace agreement primer obtained by TNT, Sunday's incident could see possible exemption in Article II 2(b) that identified “actions exempted.” Such states, “defensive or protective actions of the Government Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the RPM-RPA-ABB to ensure the security of their respective forces, as well as the safety and tranquility of the civil government and the general population, the areas serviced by impact development projects as determined by the JEMC and communities where RPM-RPA-ABB leaders and members are located.”

In the light of Sunday's incident, Ka Hugo further stressed of an even closer coordination with government agents particularly with their army link so as to avert possible strain in the RPA-ABB existence in known controlled Iloilo towns.