Daniel Velarde is under NPA detention and on trial for espionage

Fr. Santiago "Sanny" Salas
Spokesperson in Eastern Visayas
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
June 17, 2004

For confirmation, contact:
Roy Santos, NDF-EV Media Liaison Officer
Cellphone No. 0918-3112138
E-mail: [email protected]

To set the record straight, the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas announces that Daniel Velarde, a civilian asset of the 34th Infantry Battalion, is currently in the custody of the New People's Army and undergoing trial before the people's court for espionage and other counterrevolutionary activities.

Velarde was arrested in Brgy. San Isidro, Matuguinao, W. Samar by Red fighters of the Arnulfo Ortiz Command last May 29 by order of the people's revolutionary government. Soon after his arrest, the military came out with black propaganda, alleging that Velarde is a barangay captain and that his arrest is connected to the May 10 election for allegedly incurring the ire of the NPA.

Velarde is in fact not an official of the reactionary government but a hired goon of certain politicians during the past election. As it is, the people's revolutionary government does not punish anyone for their political affiliations but for their anti-social and counterrevolutionary activities. Velarde's custodian, the Arnulfo Ortiz Command, clarifies that Velarde's arrest is not election-related but for the following offenses:

Velarde has long been identified by the NPA as spying for the military as an active member of the 8th Infantry Division's barangay intelligence network.

Several witnesses have seen Velarde openly guiding the military operations of the special operations teams of the 34th IB's Bravo Company that is based in Matuguinao.

Velarde has endangered the lives of innocent civilians by pinpointing them before the military as NPA supporters.

In the past April-May election campaign period, Velarde and the military harassed the supporters of a political camp as alleged NPA sympathizers, while actively campaigning for Rep. Reynaldo Uy and Mayor Jocella Dy of Matuguinao.

Velarde is being treated well and is guaranteed due process and a fair trial under the laws and processes of the revolutionary justice system. As a suspected military intelligence agent, he is therefore regarded - under the international rules of war - not as an uninvolved civilian but as an active enemy combatant in the civil war. However, the revolutionary movement respects and guarantees the observation of his individual rights. Velarde is on trial for endangering the security and violating the law and order of the revolutionary territory.

In addition, the NDF-EV clarifies that the NPA is not involved in the abduction of four people in Brgy. Libertad, Matuguinao and considers this accusation as another desperate black propaganda by the military. The NPA does not just arbitrarily seize anyone but is duly authorized and receives the appropriate instructions from the people's revolutionary government when tasked with arresting a suspect. The revolutionary movement knows however and condemns certain politicians and their armed goons who are the real ones responsible for the said abductions. #

Back to top