Manero’s group declares war vs NPA

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - The group of convicted priest killer Norberto Manero, alias Commander Bukay, has declared war against the New People's Army (NPA), saying its members are ready to abduct allies and key personalities of the rebel group anytime soon. A source who requested anonymity for fear of his life said a war would erupt if the rebel group will not release "Manong Jose Manero." "Magkagubot gyud kay amo pud og panguhaon ang ilang mga alyado (There will be chaos because we will abduct their allies as well)," the source said through a phone interview Wednesday morning. Armed men believed to be led by rebel leader Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago abducted Jose Manero last Sunday morning. Also abducted were Rafael Lorenzo, one of the owners of the Lorenzo Group of Companies and whom the rebel group referred to as a despotic landlord and anti-labor banana magnate, and a certain Froilan Labrado at the Lorenzo estate in Calinan, Davao City. Lorenzo and Labrado, however, were released later that day. The source said a group, which supports the anti-revolutionary movement of the Manero brothers, is also prepared to enter Davao City through the Bukidnon area. "Naa na sa Bukidnon ang grupo ni Kumander Ligaya, andam na sila muanha diri sa Davao (The group of commander Ligaya is already in Bukidnon, ready to go to Davao City)," the source said. The source added that if the military can't help in the rescue of Jose Manero, the group would act on its own for his release. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Bautista, spokesman of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, said they are still pursuing Manero's captors. Bautista said he has not heard of a ransom being paid for the immediate release of Lorenzo and Labrado. The rebel group, in a statement issued Wednesday, owned up to the abduction of Manero. Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the 1st Pulang Bagani of the Merardo Arce Command of the NPA, said the disarming of Lorenzo's security men coincided with the turnover of the new leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to show the ineptness of the military in Southern and Central Mindanao. The raid, Sanchez said, was part of the rebels' tactical offensives against the AFP. A week ago, the rebels ambushed a military truck in Barangay Ilustre, President Roxas in North Cotabato, and killed three members of the Army's 39th Infantry Battalion of the 1002nd Brigade and injured 21 others. To date, Sanchez said the rebels have carted 36 firearms in at least 62 tactical offensives they launched against the Army since April 3 in Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao City and North Cotabato. Sun.Star