Army Col. Oscar Lactao, commander of the 303 rd Infantry Brigade, yesterday brushed aside criticisms against his call to strengthen legal offensives against leaders of the New People's Army in Negros, and said that those who are afraid may be hiding something from authorities.

Human rights group Karapatan-Negros had earlier slammed Lactao for his order to strengthen legal offensives against NPA key personalities in Negros Occidental, and those they call members of “legal progressive organizations.”

Fred Caña, secretary general of Karapatan, called Lactao a dictator for allegedly ordering his contacts in the Prosecutor's Office and the PNP to file non-bailable charges against “innocent people”.

Lactao, however, said, this is in accordance with the rule of law, adding that a “dictator” is one who orders the summary execution of innocent civilians, who are against them.

Caña said several cases, including non-bailable and trumped-up charges filed against innocent victims, including officers and members of progressive organizations, had been dismissed by the court.

Lactao had earlier ordered military and police commanders to strengthen their legal offensives against NPA leaders, after the release of several arrested rebel leaders in Negros after posting bail.

He also stressed the importance of teamwork among the military and police, that, he said, has already produced results, citing the checkpoints, that led to the arrest of two NPA leaders and the interception of armed red fighters, all in San Carlos City, in previous months.

Military records also show that several top rebel leaders arrested in Negros Occidental, including Romeo Natan, regional commander of the NPA, Marilyn Badayos, Mary Grace Delicano-Sumayang, Nilda Natan Bertulano, Rogelio Danoso, and Hernando Llorente rejoined their comrades in the mountains, after their release from jail.

Caña called on victims of so-called trumped-up cases to unite and stand for their right, by filing counter-charges against military officers and their false witnesses, as well as state prosecutors proven to be behind the filing of fabricated charges.

Military records also show that more than P2 million had been spent by the CPP-NPA and their supporters to bail out their arrested rebel leaders in Negros island.*GPB

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