Reds deny mutilating govt militiaman in Bicol

MANILA, Philippines - The New People's Army (NPA) belied Monday reports that its forces mutilated a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in Bicol. NPA Nerissa San Juan Command spokeswoman Theresa Magtanggol branded as a lie reports that Cafgu Ryan Samonte was castrated before he was executed. "Ang karumaldumal na paglapastangan sa sinumang indibidwal ay hindi gawain ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (Such a dastardly act is not the way of the NPA)," she said in a statement posted on the Communist Party of the Philippines website Monday. She said the NPA adheres to human rights and the Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and Geneva Convention. This was evident in its humane treatment of Army 1Lt Ronaldo Fedelino and Pfc. Ronel Nemenio, she said. But Magtanggol confirmed Samonte was executed on August 10 in San Isidro village in San Andres town in Catanduanes province. "Siya ay dating kasama na nagpagamit sa reaksyunaryong hukbo. Naging Cafgu siya at nanghikayat sa mga dating kasama na magsisuko at sumapi na sa reaksyunaryong hukbo. Sinalaula niya ang mga kababaryo niya sa Brgy. San Isidro, San Andres at pinaratangan na mga NPA o di kaya'y mga simpatisador ng NPA," she said. (He was a former colleague who allowed himself to be used by the reactionary military. He became a Cafgu and betrayed his colleagues and sympathizers.) She added Samonte also helped locate hiding places of NPAs and served as an intelligence operative of the military. - GMANews.TV