Regarding the July 20 encounter between the NPA and the RHB bandit group
Efren Martires Command
New People's Army - Eastern Visayas
July 25, 2004
A unit of the NPA's Arnulfo Ortiz Command had an encounter last July 20 with the counterrevolutionary bandit group Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB) in Sitio Lim-ao, Brgy. Macalpe, Hinabangan, Western Samar. The incident occurred around 4:00 in the afternoon. The Red fighters were able to seize the initiative and to send the RHB gangsters fleeing in all directions. Confiscated from the bandits were one M2 carbine, one M79 grenade launcher, two grenades, one rifle grenade, and three bagfuls of documents. No Red fighter was killed or injured, contrary to the claims to the media by the RHB bandit leader known by the alias "Anson" that eight Red fighters died in the incident.
The Efren Martires Command wishes to clarify to the public that the RHB is counterrevolutionary, anti-people, criminal and a tool of the fascist AFP. It was set up in 1997 in Central Luzon by the "Marxista-Leninistang Partido ng Pilipinas" (MLPP). The MLPP is composed of renegade leaders and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Central Luzon, who were expelled from the CPP for factionalism, sabotaging the revolutionary movement and refusal to rectify their errors. The RHB and the MLPP have since degenerated into counterrevolutionary and criminal activities. Because of the NPA's active pursuit and exposure of the RHB's real nature, only a handul of the bandit group remains in Bataan and Zambales. But they have been monitored as trying to worm their way into areas outside Central Luzon, like the Southern Tagalog region and now Eastern Visayas.
The revolutionary movement in Central Luzon has documented the following counterrevolutionary and criminal offenses of the RHB: collaboration with the AFP-PNP's counterrevolutionary campaign; serving as the private army of local politicians and gambling lords like the notorious Bong Pineda; extorting from the masses and small businessmen; abduction and disappearance of a Central Luzon CPP cadre; multiple murder; multiple rape; kidnap-for-ransom with murder; and harassment of several leaders and members of militant organizations.
Here in Eastern Visayas, the RHB was first monitored in February 2002, estimated to be squad-sized and armed with assorted long and short firearms. They are also known to be roving in some barangays between Hinabangan and Paranas. The leader of these bandits is believed to be one "Anson", a former NPA member who resurfaced with the RHB after leaving the movement to work in Manila. But the RHB soon earned the dislike of the peasant masses for vilifying the NPA and the revolutionary movement. While pretending to serve the people, the RHB members bared their true selves when they began stealing chickens and other properties of the peasant masses, as well as extorting from small businesses in the barrios. A peasant was also murdered by a member of the RHB named Erning Bachicha. Like their Central Luzon cohorts, the RHB here is considered as conniving with the military. In fact, the RHB hideouts are located near the 52nd Infantry Battalion as well as the police, yet the bandits thrive with their nefarious activities without fear of retaliation.
It is the policy of the revolutionary movement to break up and smash the RHB and all counterrevolutionary and criminal groups in the Red territories. The Efren Martires Command calls on the peasant masses to be vigilant, monitor the movement of the RHB, and report their activities to the responsible NPA unit. The RHB should be denied any form of support, and denounced and expelled from all communities for destroying the peace and harmony in the revolutionary base areas.
For confirmation, contact:
Roy Santos, NDF-EV Media Liaison Officer
Cellphone No. 0918-3112138
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