Authorities ignore protests, rap ‘rebel leader’
Amid the protests from militant groups, the authorities have pressed charges in court against an alleged high-ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) who was arrested in Iloilo City last week.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) slapped criminal raps for violations of the Comelec Resolution 8714 or the total gun ban and Republic Act 8294 or the illegal possession of firearm and explosive against Cirila Estrada alias Cora.
Estrada, an alleged front secretary of the CPP-NPA’s Kilusang Rehiyon-Panay Southern front Committee operating in the hinterlands of Igbaras, Leon, San Joaquin, and Miagao towns in Iloilo province, was arrested Friday during the celebration of the Chinese New Year at corner of Iznart and de Leon streets, in downtown Iloilo City.
Police and military personnel yielded a caliber .22 Magnum revolver, a hand grenade, and 6 mobile phones.
A phony identification card was also seized from her.
Despite allegations from militant groups like Karapatan and PAMANGGAS (Panay Guimaras Peasant Solidarity) that Estrada is just a volunteer of Pamanggas, IPPO director Senior Supt. Renato Gumban stood firm on their conviction that Estrada is a rebel leader.
He also brushed off allegations that the gun and explosives recovered in her possession was just “planted.”
“How about the six cellphones? We surmised that she was supposed to meet another ranking leader in the area,” Gumban said.
To note, police and military personnel arrested Estrada to face charges for Criminal Case 2627-TU for robbery in band with frustrated homicide and damage to property with the use of motor vehicle and unlicensed firearms 15th Municipal circuit trial court, Guimbal, Iloilo (July 12, 2004); Criminal Case 5257-SR for multiple murder and frustrated murder before the 2nd Municipal circuit Trial Court in Sibalom, Antique (September 7,2004); and Criminal Case 1298-H for murder and Criminal Case 1299-H for robbery in band with physical injuries before the 1st Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Hamtic, Antique (April 16, 1990).
She was arrested after a one-week surveillance.
