Even the police has expressed doubts over claims of the New People's Army that they were behind the attack in Brgy. Libertad, Escalante, where two were killed and a barangay captain allied with Vice Mayor Santiago Barcelona was injured.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, yesterday said they have received reports that those who attacked the residence of Brgy. Capt. Norberto Damalerio, carried only short firearms, and even homemade guns.

The observation of Franco bolstered claims of the Damalerio family and Barcelona that the suspects were not insurgents, contrary to claims of the NPA Roselyn “Ka Jean” Pelle Command.

Franco said that when NPA rebels stage an attack, they are usually armed with high-powered firearms.

Police noted that the attack against the Damalerio family members was not posted in the website of the CPP-NPA-NDF, which they have done on numerous occasions.

Ferjun Damalerio, son of Norberto, who was killed in the attack on Nov. 8, was buried on Friday at a cemetery in Escalante City . Norberto was injured in the raid.

Meanwhile, Barcelona last night said he received a text message from Malasibog Barangay Captain Rudy Badioso asking for help because there were armed men in his house.

Barcelona said that when he called the barangay captain on his cellular phone he was no longer answering. Barcelona said he alerted the police and Army.

Franco said the peace and order situation in Escalante returned to normal, following the establishment of a temporary detachment manned by troopers of the 611 th Provincial Mobile Group in the city proper.

The attacker who was killed in the alleged shoot-out with the elder Damalerio, was identified as Romeo Agupasa Jr., of Brgy. Jonob-Jonob, Escalante.

While the Damalerio family has opted to seek the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the investigation of the incident, Franco said they will continue their investigations, and the results will be compared to that of the CIDG investigations.

Franco also reminded Supt. Iver Apellido, 611 th PMG director, to coordinate with the local police headed by Chief Inspector Leonardo Angcon, in the conduct of visibility operations in any areas of Escalante.

Sergio Bellador had earlier claimed that they have positively identified five of the 17 armed men who attacked the house of Damalerio, his brother-in-law, who, he claimed, are not NPA members.

The Roselyn “Ka Jean” Pelle Command of the New People's Army released a statement to the media, claiming responsibility for the attack, and the burning of an abandoned detachment in the barangay.

It also enumerated alleged abuses of Damalerio, including illegal discharge of firearms.

Admitting that they received such reports, Franco, however, said it remains unverified as nobody reported it to the police.

The son of Damalerio, Ely Cumawas and Kagawad Romeo Agaton were the three supporters of Barcelona who had been killed by unidentified armed men since the midterm elections up to the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls in Escalante City.*GPB

back to top