Couple nabbed for Balweg's murder

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Jovencio Balweg, a top commander of the New People’s Army in northern Luzon and main suspect in the killing of his brother, former rebel priest Conrado Balweg is now in police custody after his capture May 18.

Police bared this, adding tactical interrogation against Balweg would be delayed for a longer time because the subject asked that he be allowed to enjoy a “long rest.”

Cordillera police director Chief Supt. Orlando Pestaño granted Balweg’s request, who is suffering from spinal canal stenosis and a stroke.

Pestaño told newsmen the 58-year-old Balweg, alyas Ka Rudy and Ka Dawa, is now resting in a “guesthouse” in Metro Manila, accompanied by his wife, Carmen and son, Jovencio Jr., alias Ka Duffy.

Balweg, a member of the executive committee of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Party Committee was nabbed at Satellite Market Camp 7 in Baguio City at about 3:45 p.m. around 13 km from here.

Pestaño said Ka Rudy holds several important positions in the Communist Party of the Philippines--NPA hierarchy in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions.

After his arrest, Balweg negotiated the safe surrender of his rebel wife, Carmen, alias Dumay and his son.

Balweg was on board an owner-type jeep (ADC 265) when accosted by joint elements of the Cordillera police intelligence section, Baguio City Police Office, Abra Police Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Office 14 and Benguet police.

Pestano said Balweg was not carrying identification papers saying he was Ignacio Madella, a cousin of Bienvenido Balweg, a former professor of the Mountain State Agricultural College in Benguet.

Professor Balweg is the eldest brother of the suspect and former rebel-priest turned paramilitary leader, the late Fr. Conrado Balweg.

Pestano, in a report to Philippine National Police director General Jesus Verzosa, said Balweg admitted his real identity after intense questioning.

While being interrogated, Balweg called up Carmen through his cellphone and convinced her to surrender.

Senior Supt. Alex Pumecha, Cordillera police intelligence chief, and his men, who are securing the Balwegs, said police picked up Carmen also in Camp 7 an hour after Balweg’s arrest.

“She decided to surrender to clear her name on the charges against her,” said Pumecha.

Balweg was presented Wednesday before Verzosa..

During the meeting, the Balweg vowed to help the government in the peace process with the communist movement, especially in Abra.

Pumecha said the Balwegs are cooperating fully in their investigation, especially in their involvement in political killings in Abra and the Cordillera region.

“But because he requested that he be allowed to rest, for him to fully recover from his sickness before we conduct our tactical interrogation on him (Jovencio), we obliged and rescheduled such activity,” said Pumecha.

However, Ka Rudy was advised by his counsel, Baguio-based lawyer Rene Cortez, not to answer questions regarding cases he was charged of, for fear of incriminating himself, Pumecha said.

Balweg is facing two counts of murder and multiple frustrated murder charges before the sala of Judge Corpuz Alzate, of the Abra Regional Trial Court Branch 2. Balweg carries a P1 million bounty.

Pumecha said Balweg was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Corpuz Alzate, of the Abra regional trial court Branch 2 for separate murder and frustrated murder cases.

Balweg reportedly headed a unit which gunned down Fr. Balweg in their family residence at Buanao, Malibcong, Abra in Dec. 1999.

Fr. Balweg broke away from the NPA and founded the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army in 1986.

The CPLA entered into a peace pact with the government of President Aquino and Fr. Balweg ran for the lone congressional district of Abra but lost.

Ka Rudy who was the municipal secretary of Malibcong town, and a mass leader and organizer when he joined the NPA in 1979, rose through the ranks.

He was an alternate secretary or Kalihiman, of the provincial education committee; commanding officer of the Provincial Army committee, and political officer of the Provincial Operational Command.

Carmen was listed in the order of battle as the commanding officer of the Provincial Army Committee; medical of¬fi¬cer of the Provincial Party Committee and a member of the Provincial Political Department of the NPA command in Abra.

The Cordillera police legal division is studying the charges against the Balweg couple prior to their turnover to the courts.