Cutanda released, denies P300T as election money
Barely a day after news got out on the latest misfortune to hit the group, a major setback struck anew the hierarchy of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa sa Pilipinas - Revolutionary Proletariat Army -- Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).
This, accompanied by what has now been confirmed as a major internal conflict creating further division within the party hierarchy. The RPM/RPA/ABB, faction that took off from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is at the other end of peace talks pursued by the government.
The News Today (TNT) got the confirmation yesterday on the factions created as a result of the party rift--the Lualhati Carapali-wing and the Nilo dela Cruz-wing.
Holders of government-issued "Safe-Conduct Passes," RPM/RPA/ABB Island Commander, Demetrio Capilastique popularly known for his alias "Ka Hugo', Rustico Cutanda, head of the group's Local Technical Working Group for Development and two others were arrested late Wednesday evening. The four face charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban. More troubles too for the party and the arrested men themselves as questions hang on the P300,000 cash found during the arrest alongside huge number of firepower including rifle grenades, hand grenades and baby armalites.
Cutanda's release was facilitated though as documents were shown on his gun ban exemption and legal possession of firearm.
Elements of the elite Special Weapons Action Team (SWAT) out for a routinary surveillance check chanced upon the group in front of a videoke bar in Poblacion, Santa Barbara, Iloilo. Police team headed by Senior Inspector Eugene Rebadomia took interest of an armed man by the roadside and when the SWAT team stopped to conduct verification, the four identified themselves to the arresting officers.
"We should not have been arrested. It should not have happened in the first place," Cutanda began in a phone interview with TNT. "Medyo natsambahan lang siguro kag sa part sang pulis, they insisted on legal procedures while we invoked the peace process."
The massive firepower recovered, Cutanda said, was one risk that Ka Hugo took given the recent mis-development that had him as the number one target of former comrades in the New People's Army, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
"Between the danger in his life and the risk of the police checkpoints, he (referring to Ka Hugo) made the choice. Plus he was also confident that the safe-conduct pass and in the spirit of the peace process, salig man siya nga okey tani," Cutanda continued.
Ka Hugo is the official party representative in the Local Technical Working Group for the Cessation of Hostilities in Panay Island.
Yet how about the P300,000 found in their possession? Talks abound that such was election-money particularly from the camp of reelectionist Governor Niel Tupas Sr. meant purportedly to the RPA/ABB strongholds in Cabatuan town.
"What election-money? That was our own money!," Cutanda replied explaining that the amount was meant for the party's income-generating project incidentally released same day they were arrested.
"Wala sang away sa Cabatuan, nga-a didto isabwag ang kuarta? By coincidence, we got the money that day halin sa mga utod ko nga dugay na ina ya nga negosyo namon sa bugas," his explanation continued.
The RPA/ABB in the past ten days alone suffered setback after setback and when asked what is going with the group, Cutanda returned the question saying, "What is going on with the government?"
"From our end we are religiously following the provisions as set forth in the peace process. May mga gamay man guro nga problema for we are not perfect," he continued. "Ang sa Antique ginpangitaan lang guro nila sang rason kay mainit politika didto. Sa San Joaquin amo man."
With Cutanda's release, expected to follow is Ka Hugo and the two others today all "in the spirit of peace process," he ended. "Mauna-una lang ko anay kay insufficient pa for now ila papeles but as a gesture of confidence, ma-release man na sila."
Treatment while inside detention was described by Cutanda as "okay."