Activists call for release of alleged CPP-NPA leader
Members of different sectoral groups appealed to the government to release Cirila Estrada, an alleged leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) who was arrested last week.
Militant groups composed of Makabayan led by Hope Hervilla, Gabriela by Lucy Francisco, Karapatan by Reylan Vergara, Pamanggas by Lucia Capaducio, Bayan-Panay by Edgar Pelayo, Bayan Muna by Winnie Dublizo and Rene Estrada, who is the brother of Cirila, denied the allegation that she is a high-ranking leader of the CPP-NPA.
Military claimed that Estrada is the secretary of Panay Southern Front Committee operating in the hinterlands of Igbaras, Leon, San Joaquin and Miag-ao.
Estrada was arrested on February 12, 2010 at the corner of Iznart and De leon Streets in Iloilo City.
Though they admitted that Estrada is very active in fighting for the rights of the farmers during the time of former Pres. Marcos, she is only an ordinary farmer and a volunteer in the sectoral group Pamanggas (Paghugpong sang mga mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras).
They said Cirila only goes to Iloilo City when buying her medicine and for medical check-up as she was suffering from asthma disease.
The group also recalled that it was also during election time in 2007 when Luisa Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado were abducted. “Now that it is election time again, the government strikes another legal personality in the person of Cirila,” they said.
The group plans to have a mobilization today (February 16) and on the next day to have a jail visit at the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) where Estrada is presently detained. They will dialog with the warden with regards to the security and safety of Cirila.
It was learned that Estrada was nabbed by joint operatives of the Philippine Army and the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO).
She was arrested by virtue of several warrants of arrest that include criminal case number 5257-SR for multiple murder and frustrated murder on September 7, 2004 in Sibalom, Antique; criminal case number 1298-H for murder on August 16, 1990 in Hamtic, Antique; criminal case number 1299-H for robbery in band with physical injuries on April 16, 1990 in Tobias Fornier, Antique; and criminal case number 2627-TU for robbery in band with frustrated homicide and damage to property with the use of motor vehicle and unlicensed firearms on July 12, 2004 in Guimbal, Iloilo.
