NPA rebels ransack Capiz resort: Army
A group of 20 men believed to be members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army ransacked an inland resort in Brgy. San Julian, Tapaz, Capiz on Tuesday, a Philippine Army report said.
The rebels, led by Francisco Balois alias Tonying of the CPP’s Central Front in Panay Island, entered the Marugo Mountain Resort and carted away the firearms and mobile phones of the group of Senior Police Officer 2 Sedro Garbosa of the Tapaz Police Station, who were having a drinking session.
Seized from the group were an M16 rifle, a Garand rifle, a hand grenade, a .9mm pistol and assorted mobile phones.
The rebels also took foodstuff and toiletries from the resort.
Garbosa said he initially thought the armed men were members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit because they were wearing camouflage uniforms.
When he spotted armed females, he began to suspect that something was amiss.
“They held us at gunpoint, threatening to shoot civilians if we so much as made a wrong move,” Garbosa said.
Reports said Marugo Mountain Resort owner Nonong Palomar has refused to give in to the NPA’s extortion demands.
“As retaliation for his defiance, the NPA decided to forcibly take what is not theirs. Basic commodities like food and toiletries were the main target of the raid. They are stealing food to survive and sustain their weakening force. It seemed like the firearms were just a target of opportunity,” said 1st Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Jamindan, Capiz.*
