Combined teams of the Negros Occidental police intelligence operatives and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday raided a reported safehouse of the alleged New People's Army "Regional Sparrow Unit" in Brgy. Zone 5, Pulupadan, but did not find anything to seize.

The house raided by the police, as authorized by La Carlota City Judge Francisco Rodriguez who issued the search warrant, turned out to be owned by retired Col. Elviro Lagrana, and being rented by members of CAMMPh (Crusade Against Monopoly and Massive Political Harassment).

Diego Malacad, CAMMPh spokesman, called the raid "plain and pure harassment." CAMMPh is assisting the Pulupandan residents who are the subject of eviction for allegedly squatting on property owned by landowner Magdaleno Peña and his family in the town.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, yesterday denied claims that the raid was meant to harass them, saying they had information that the house had been made a safehouse of rebel assassins.

Franco said they also received reports from some barangay residents of unidentified armed men and women entering the house of Lagrana in the unholy hours, from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m..

Malacad, however, said their rented house was frequently visited by town residents who are victims of political harassment.

There were also reports of persons using shabu in the rented house, but this was vehemently denied by CAMMPh.

Malacad claimed that one of the members of the police raiding team is close to an "influential person" in Pulupandan, whose brother is running for councilor under his slate.

The six Pulupandan barangay captains, accompanied by Malacad, yesterday met with Vice-Governor Isidro Zayco and Franco at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall to air their concerns.

Led by Councilor Lowell del Carmen, president of the town LIga ng Barangay, the barangay officials reiterated their call for food, medical and legal assistance from the provincial government officials of Negros Occidental.

Zayco referred their security concerns to Franco. At the same time, he added that Gov. Joseph Marañon had already assured them of legal assistance, and the medical mission they are asking for is now being prepared.

In previous months, Peña sent notices of eviction to owners of about 2,000 houses in Pulupandan town that he said are squatting on his and his familiy's property.

Town residents had clashed twice with alleged men of Peña over the attempts to set up barricades that blocked passageways in some of the town barangays, that form part of the property of Peña and his family.

The Diocese of Bacolod is set to have a dialog with town residents, Mayor Luis Mondia and Peña on March 19.

Malacad said they are filing charges against the police raiding team.*GPB

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