Warlord's bodyguard, not NPA, killed soldier allegedly on rescue mission

DIEGO WADAGAN
Spokesperson
Agustin Begnalen Command (NPA-Abra)
October 22, 2009

Once again, AFP and PNP officials have proven that they can twist facts and lie to their teeth just so they can score another propaganda point against the New People's Army.
First, let us clear the facts:

Edwin Balawag aka Bagyan, is not an NPA, but a bodyguard of a former Mayor of Lacub, Abra. In December 1, 2009, Edwin Balawag, along with his wife Rosemarie, and Edgardo Molina, in a controversial move and much-publicized incident, surrendered to PNP Supt. Ricardo B. Dayag of the PNPs 103rd PPMG based in Ilocos Sur. But instead of being presented as NPA surrenderies, then PNP Deputy Director General Jesus Versoza presented Balawag, his wife and Molina as "Top Ranking NPAs captured in Lacub." The charade was masterminded by a warlord and PNP officials to collect bounty rewards for the capture of the Balawags and Molina. Immediately after being presented to the media, the Balawags were released and Edwin Balawag since then, was under the custody of a former Mayor of Lacub. In fact, Edwin Balawag brazenly tucks a .45 pistol and roams freely with the knowledge of local PNP officers and personnel, and soldiers and officers of the 41st IB operating and stationed in Lacub and Baay-Licuan.
The NPA operating in Abra province did not violate the NPA's unilateral ceasefire declaration from October 15 to October 21, 2009. Edwin Balawag aka Bagyan, is not connected in any way with the revolutionary movement ever since he surrendered in December 1, 2009. The AFP, PNP and the Provincial Government of Abra boasts of the so-called Social Integration Program, that supposedly ensures the "rehabilitation of former rebels" into mainstream society. Is this one of their achievements? They claim credit when Balawag surrendered (or arrested, as claimed by Supt. Dayag and Director Versoza), but blames the NPA when Balawag killed TSgt. Bartolome Valencia.
The Philippine Army claims that TSgt. Valencia came from relief and rescue operations, so as to generate public sympathy for the AFP, and disgust against the NPA. The 41st IB, especially it's Alpha and Charlie Coys based in Lacub and Baay-Licuan respectively, is not engaged in relief, rehabilitation and rescue operations. In fact, based on 41st IB and 503rd Brigade press statements, forces of the 41st IB conducted combat and patrol operations at the height of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, maximizing bad weather for military advantage, but oblivious to the plight of the people being ravaged by typhoon.
TSgt. Bartolome Valencia was armed with a .45 pistol. Again, the AFP claimed that he was unarmed to further generate sympathy. Edwin Balawag and Bartolome Valencia had a shouting match while in a drinking spree, and both reached for their pistols but Balawag shot Valencia first. The .45 pistol of Valencia was taken by Balawag after the incident.

Other sources are saying TSgt. Bartolome Valencia was in fact the finance officer of Alpha Coy, 41st IB and was transporting P200,000 payroll money. The same sources said that the money was taken after the incident.

The revolutionary movement condemns politicians, PNP and AFP officials in using fall-outs of the NPA for their own advantage. Surrenderies have become credentials of government officials and AFP/PNP officers in their promotion bids; former rebels have been used for political ambitions either as propaganda mileage or as goons and bodyguards; funds for rebel-returnees such as the SIP (Social Integration Program) are sources of graft and corruption; and bounty money have been collected by politicians and AFP/PNP officers on alleged arrested NPA leaders.

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