Long-time fugitive surrenders in Masbate

MASBATE CITY— He had run from the law for nearly a decade but the thought of home did not escape him. So he finally stopped hiding and voluntarily surrendered to the highest official in his town.

Murder suspect and self-confessed communist guerrilla Ruel Rejuso appeared before Aroroy Mayor Enrico Capinig first hour of Tuesday, without arms, to clear his name, said Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, police chief of Masbate province.

Rejuso was charged with murder, with no bail recommended, in 2001 before a regional trial court in Masbate City, for his alleged involvement in rebel-initiated killings in the province.

He would be turned over to the court after necessary documentation and debriefing of the Aroroy police, said Olitoquit.

Olitoquit quoted Rejuso as admitting that he had been a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) from 1994 to 2003 after being recruited by a certain “Ka Tembong” and had participated in the ambushes and liquidations conducted by the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Masbate.

Rejuso, Olitoquit added, decided to return home early this week to Barangay (village) Managa-naga in Aroroy to absolve himself from involvement in some liquidations carried out by the NPA during the time he was a member of the rebel group.

Capinig facilitated the surrender of Rejuso, said Olitoquit.

Aroroy, one of the largest and most affluent towns of Masbate, is about 32 kilometers from Masbate City, the provincial capital.

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By Jonas Cabiles Soltes
Inquirer Southern Luzon

9:55 am | Sunday, February 26th, 2012

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Woman drops rape case vs 6 Army men

MANILA, Philippines—A 21-year-old woman who had accused six Army soldiers of gang rape has withdrawn the complaint she filed before the Masbate prosecutor’s office.

The complainant signed an affidavit of desistance before Masbate assistant provincial prosecutor Richard Riveral on Feb. 20, the Army said in a statement.

The complainant had claimed she was raped by six soldiers on Jan. 30 and on Feb. 2 inside the camp of the Bravo Company of the Army 9th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Puro, Milagros.

But even if the criminal case has been withdrawn, the soldiers will still face administrative cases for allowing a civilian inside the camp for unauthorized reasons.

“I have relieved all the soldiers from their posts, including their Company Commander and the First Sergeant. The six soldiers are now facing charges before the Army’s Provost Marshal Office,” 9IB commander Lt. Col. Jun Pacatan was quoted as saying by the Army.

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By Dona Z. Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

5:47 am | Saturday, February 25th, 2012

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Suspected NPA rebel killed in Masbate attack

NAGA CITY, Philippines—A member of the paramilitary Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit  survived an attack by two suspected New People’s Army rebels, killing one of the rebels while the other rebel fled Tuesday afternoon in Basud town in Masbate.

Major Angelo Guzman, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division, said in a telephone interview Wednesday that militiaman Romy B. Ariola was off duty with his family in their house in Barangay Ilaya when the  rebels attacked at around 4:45 p.m. but Ariola was able to fire back with his improvised shotgun.

“I have to protect my family from harm; it’s good no one in the family was hurt or hit by enemy fire,” Guzman quoted militiaman Ariola as saying.

Guzman identified the slain rebel as Noel Sioco and said the latter’s .38-caliber pistol was recovered. The other rebel, known as Manuel Ariola, was armed with an M16 rifle and managed to flee.

Sioco and Ariola, who is not related to the militiaman, were said to be under the NPA’s Front Committee 83 operating in Masbate.

Guzman said said Sioco was the suspect in the killing of Romy Ariola’s brother in 2010.

Lieutenant Colonel Julian Pacatan, commanding officer of the 9th Infantry Battalion based in Milagros, Masbate, directed soldiers to provide security to the family of Ariola immediately after the attack.

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 With a report from Jonas Cabiles Soltes, 

By Juan Escandor Jr.
Inquirer Southern Luzon

3:48 pm | Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

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