A militant human rights group yesterday called on the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental to look into and immediately act onabuses and atrocities allegedly committed by the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade in the province.

Karapatan-Negros secretary general Fred Cana, who spoke yesterday at the SP regular session, also enjoined the provincial council to a seek a congressional inquiry on the alleged abuses of the RPA-ABB, which he also claimed, serves as the private army of some landowners and paramilitary units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Cana enumerated the alleged terroristic activities of the RPA-ABB, and presented to the SP members their alleged victims of atrocities, including farm workers in Brgy. Lopez Jaena, Sagay City and in Brgy. Canlusong, EB Magalona.

Board Members Jose Benito Alonzo and Nehemias de la Cruz yesterday advised Cana to file charges against the RPA-ABB, and not just complain about them.

“If we just complain and complain, nothing will happen,” Alonzo and de la Cruz said.

Cana admitted that they are facing difficulty in getting witnesses if the accused are members of the RPA-ABB.

The RPA-ABB vehemently debunked accusations against them by the Karapatan and its allied organizations, as well those from the New People’s Army.

RPA-ABB spokesman Victorino Sumulong dismissed the accusations as trumped-up charges, including the strafing of farmers and burning of houses in EB Magalona and Sagay City.

This propaganda trick of the CPP-NPA against RPA-ABB displays the bankruptcy of its ideology in resolving conflict with other revolutionary organizations by using lies and fabricated evidences just to malign its adversary, Sumulong said.

The NPA Roselyn Pelle Command had earlier said it has issued arrest warrants against members of the RPA-ABB and the armed goons allegedly responsible for the burning of houses and crops, and for firing at farmers in Brgy. Lopez Jaena, Sagay City, late last year.

Cana said they are willing to extend cooperation to the inquiry of the SP.

Board Member Patrick Lacson questioned the claims of Cana that suspects behind in the arson and kidnapping incident in Brgy. Canlusong,EB Magalona, are RPA-ABB members, as theycontradict the investigations of the police.

Vice-Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. tasked the Committee on Human Rights chaired by Board Member George Gitano to attend to the complaints of Karapatan-Negros against the RPA-ABB.

Board Member Rene Gustilo advised Cana to seek help of their party-list representatives on their call for a congressional inquiry on alleged RPA-ABB abuses, saying that the SP has no jurisdiction over Congress.

Cana also urged the SP members not to sign the closure of the peace agreement between the RPA-ABB and the government, that is expected to be realized in April.

He claimed that the signing of the peace agreement will further escalate human rights abuses of the RPA-ABB in Negros.* GPB

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