Two ex-RPA-ABB members expose slay plot vs. Treñas
Propping up claims that there is indeed a plot to kill Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, two self-confessed former members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) exposed yesterday that their group was offered money in exchange for Treñas’ life.
Identifying themselves as alias Nonoy and alias Noli, the two held a press conference and read out their statement relative to the alleged plan to kill Treñas and his brother, Francis.
But unlike the usual press conference, the two did their own discussion with flair. A message was sent to some media outlets to gather at a restaurant along B. Aquino Ave. in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
Members of the media were then to board a vehicle where they were brought to Arevalo, Iloilo City.
There, Nonoy and Noli, who were both wearing bonnet and a garb to cover their body, faced the media.
Nonoy read out the 4-page statement written in Hiligaynon.
The ex-RPA-ABB member first claimed that he entered the movement in 2005 and severed his ties April of 2010.
They were operating in Central Iloilo, particularly in the 3rd and 4th districts of the province.
They alleged to have “taken a new path” for their family, especially their children, that’s why they were exposing what they know on the plot involving their leaders Demetrio Capilastique or Hugo, the RPA-ABB commanding officer on Panay Island, and Rustico Cutanda or Ka Rolly, and the alleged allies of former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr.
The Treñas story started out by Nonoy claiming that Capilastique ordered him, Noli, and three others early of 2010 to go to a house at their undisclosed contact in Brgy. Daja, Maasin, Iloilo.
As Capilastique allegedly stated, they were to expect visitors from Iloilo City.
“Bilang team leader, ginhambalan ako ni Ka Hugo nga ang makadto sa Brgy. Daja, isa ka pulis kag barangay captain (I was told that I would be meeting a cop and a barangay captain),” he said.
Capilastique reminded him that the group’s purpose for talking with them is very important that’s why, they must ensure the safety of their visitors.
He claimed that they were told that the visitors were a certain Maj. Amiyong, Kap. Moret, and a certain Rolex.
Sources said that Maj. Amiyong refers to Chief Insp. Musa Amiyong of the Iloilo City Police Office while Kap Moret is Morito Gratis, barangay captain of Pali-Benedicto, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
Rolex, on the other hand, is PO2 Rolex Refugio, detailed security escort of Gonzalez.
Nonoy claimed that he did not know any of them nor he had knowledge on where they were connected.
It was already noon when the “visitors” arrived on board a black pick-up.
After lunch, as per Capilastique’s instruction, Nonoy brought their visitors to a barangay in Badiangan town, Iloilo.
While the three visitors were talking to Capilastique and Cutanda, Nonoy claimed that they stayed near them as area security.
He claimed to have noticed that the group talked very seriously, as evidenced on their facial expression.
The “Major” and Rolex were allegedly carrying a clutch bag each.
But Nonoy claimed to have not seen what the bag contained.
He added that he saw the Major opening the bag and had it shown to Capilastique.
After almost two hours, the meeting ended.
When the group was gone, they only had one bag and left the other on top of the nipa hut where they had the meeting.
Ten minutes later, Capilastique summoned Nonoy to come to him.
Capilastique allegedly told him who their visitors were. Major Amiyong, as Capilastique stated, was the former Maasin PNP chief of police; Kap Moret is from Mandurriao; while Rolex is the security of Sec. Gonzalez.
Capilastique claimed that Amiyong and him were long time friends.
The group allegedly went to Capilastique to consult with the RPA-ABB over a project, which they could not entrust to Leni Leysa and a certain Totong.
Leysa, who was killed by the New People’s Army a few weeks back, and Totong were alleged to be hired killers operating in Iloilo City.
The project allegedly involved killing Treñas and his brother for the amount of P300,000.
Nonoy quoted Capilastique to have said: “Baw sobra na gid kabarato sang kabuhi ni Treñas ba. Dapat P1 million ang presyo sina.”
Aside from the “small” contract price, Capilastique allegedly refused the project claiming that Treñas and his brother have done no wrong against the movement.
Capilastique also informed him that Amiyong and Kap Moret left something “for the boys.”
From then on, Nonoy claimed not to have heard anything from their three visitors until they asked for a one-week break from Cutanda.
But he added that they are bent on not returning to the group because the RPA-ABB leadership is not acting according to what was their supposed ideology.
Nonoy claimed that he could not also take it that Capilastique is transacting with projects involving killing individuals.
Monthly support
Nonoy also averred that he knew Gonzalez because they have been receiving monthly support from the latter.
The monthly support was in exchange for the RPA-ABB’s “help” in the anti-criminality campaign, he added.
“I have a high respect on him but when Ka Hugo talked to me about the plan to kill his (Gonzalez) political opponent, things changed,” Nonoy said in vernacular.
He claimed to have known the risk they face in exposing what they learned but they claimed the need to do it for the people to realize Gonzalez’s true color.
Further, Nonoy accused Gonzalez and his men have anything to do with the drug protection racket in the area.
He did not elaborate further on this.
“Mangisog kag manindugan kami para sa buwas-damlag sang inyo kabataan para sikwayon ang gapang-abuso sa gobyerno nga pareho ni Gonzalez kag iya mga tawo,” he claimed.
No comment
After reading their prepared statement, the two RPA-ABB members declined to answer almost all questions thrown at them.
Nonoy managed, though, to describe Amiyong as “maitm, dako mata, kag naga-Tagalog.”
He also denied that somebody is protecting them.
Assassination plot
Very recently, Treñas revealed to have received reports of an assassination plan against him.
The mayor claimed that a police colonel bared that killers were hired by an undisclosed individual to have him murdered.
But it was not RPA-ABB members but the two hired killers were allegedly from Mindanao and from Cainta, Rizal.
