Two ‘NPAs’ in arson of Philex trucks out on bail

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Two of three alleged rebels accused in the Feb. 9 burning of two Philex Mines copper-ore concentrate-filled trucks at Ampucao, Itogon in Benguet have been freed on bail . 

Sarah Abellon-Alikes—an alleged high-ranking leader of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army and Marciano Passon Sagun, who were accused of arson and robbery with violence at the Benguet prosecutor’s office walked out of prison afternoon of Feb. 11 after each posted bail of P250,000 through lawyer Reynaldo A. Cortes and Richard A. Abellon Jr.

The latter is the brother of Sarah.

The release order was ordered by Executive Judge Jennifer P. Humiding of First Judicial Region, Regional Trial Court, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Antonio Indian Cabalse meanwhile remains at the La Trinidad jail after authorities served a warrant of arrest for three cases of murder and one for rebellion allegedly committed in Abra.

The three, police said, were flagged down at checkpoint along Ambuklao road in Beckel, La Trinidad, more than an hour after the truck burning Ampucao, Itogon allegedly by rebels from the Chadli Molintas Command of the CPP-NPA.

Government forces are still hunting rebels after several days of pursuit operations.

The military traced blood stains along the rebels’ withdrawal routes at Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet indicating some rebels could have been wounded.

The military said the rebels wanted to raid Philex Mines and cart away firearms from its security armory but were foiled by presence of government forces.

They instead burned two trucks loaded with copper ore concentrates to be delivered to the company depot at Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union.

 Up to now, the Chadli Molintas Command, the regional operational command of the ICRC has not acknowledged responsibility for the truck burning

The Cordillera People’s Alliance earlier condemned the arrest of Abellon-Alikes saying she was nabbed without warrant and detained.

According to them, Sarah is the daughter of the late Anglican bishop Richard Abellon. They said she is a board member of the Regional Development Center-Kaduami.

CPA urged the dropping the dropping of cases filed against Sarah. – With a report from Nikki Charongen