The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has filed charges against Communist Party of the Philippine (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison and other leaders and members identified with the communist insurgency over two separate attacks and alleged recruitment of minor in Western Visayas and Central Mindanao.
In one of the three separate statements, the CIDG said those charged include Jose Maria Sison, chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines; and members of NDF negotiating panel Luis Jalandoni, Coni Ledesma, Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala alias Concha Araneta Bocala, Concha Araneta; and Porferio Tuna Jr.
Sison and the members of the NDF were charged of Republic Act (RA) 9851, Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and other Crimes Against Humanity for indirect participation in connection with the burning of heavy equipment in Hamtic, Iloilo on June 2, 2018.
Also charged were members of the Guerilla Front 11 (GF 11), Napoleon Tumagtang Command (NTC), Southern Front (SF) Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-Panay).
The case was filed before the Prosecutor’s Office in Antique.
The same case was also filed against a Armando Magbabua and six others, reportedly members of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor (CN2 KR, NCBS), in connection with the alleged extortion activity involving the management of the Hacienda Vicenta LN Agustin Farm Incorporated.
CIDG Director Police Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said that the rebels burned a farm tractor of the company when it refused to pay the revolutionary tax being asked by the rebels.
He said the case was filed in Bacolod City.
In Central Mindanao, Lee said the same case of violation of the International Humanitarian Law was filed against six local communist rebels identified as Imac Potenciano a.k.a. “Cesar”; Dariel Mag-nday a.k.a. “Ton-Ton” or “Balangoy” or “Sangay”; Ruel Caballes a.k.a. “Aman”; Gary Almene a.k.a. “Gagay” or “Imao”; Charisse Bernadine Bañez a.k.a. “Nikki”; and Winnie Engay a.k.a. “Michael”.
The complaint stemmed when Reyesco Guiwanon Baday, an 18-year-old resident of Kabalantian, Arakan, North Cotabato was allegedly recruited by the local communist rebels during his younger age and underwent Kadre training under the supervision of Kumander Imao.
“He was taught how to attack and ambush military and PNP personnel,” said Lee.
Following his training, Baday was issued his first firearm (AK-47) and designated as Platoon Leader. He was tasked to conduct Combat Patrol and harass military detachments and troops of the PNP in the mountainous area of Arakan and the surrounding region.
“In the interest of justice, the CIDG is committed to its legal offensive line of preventing such communist terrorist groups from poisoning our children's minds and causing them to take up arms against the government,” said Lee.