ILOILO CITY – The Philippine National Police filed yesterday a complaint against members of a breakaway Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade before the peace pact monitoring committee for the killing of a policeman and the wounding of two others in Janiuay town in Iloilo on March 28.

In his letter to provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada, chairman of the local monitoring committee of the GRP-RPA-ABB Joint Enforcement Committee, Iloilo police chief Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz also asked for a formal inquiry on the incident.

The PNP filed the complaint against Bernardo Umayao, alias Ka Jack, and his group who have been accused of killing PO3 Gildo Sullivan and the wounding of PO3 Francisco Gabiano and PO1 Jonathan Limas of the Janiuay police force.

It also filed criminal complaints for murder, double frustrated murder and attempted murder against Umayao and 11 others.

Umayao's group allegedly fired at the policemen in Barangay Patong-Patong after an argument shortly after the policemen responded to reports that RPA-ABB members had mauled a villager.

RPA-ABB regional commander Demetrio Capilastique, alias Ka Hugo, who is affiliated with the faction of Nilo de la Cruz, had earlier denied that their group was involved in the attack.

He said Umayao was not in the area then and that other armed groups are also in the area.

Capilastique assured the government that they continue to support and observe the peace agreement.

The incident has prompted the government to consider a review of its peace pact with the RPA-ABB.

Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias earlier said they could review the provision of the agreement allowing the RPA-ABB members to carry firearms in designated areas.

The alleged RPA-ABB members who attacked the policemen in Janiuay had high-powered firearms.

Mejorada said the monitoring committee will ask the RPA-ABB to reply to the complaint before conducting its investigation and submitting recommendations to the Joint Enforcement Committee.*NPB

back to top