Joint military and police forces led by the 79th IB arrested 58-year-old woman Melba Gabriel in Sitio Malig-on, Barangay Bandila, Toboso, Negros Occidental on December 14. State forces accuse her of being a “key leader” in the New People’s Army (NPA) Regional Command on Negros Island.

The military reportedly served Gabriel an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 59 in San Carlos City, dated January 27, 2021 for charges of attempted murder. Gabriel is currently detained at the Toboso Municipal Police Station, reports said.

The Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM)-Northern Negros belied and condemned the allegations against Gabriel. The group’s spokesperson Ka Guillermo Mahilum said the 79th IB and military units commonly use the tactic of arresting civilians and filing criminal charges for prolonged detention.

“This shows their true nature as the ruling classes’ anti-people and reactionary armed forces,” Ka Guillermo stated. PKM-Northern Negros called for Gabriel’s immediate release and the dismissal of all charges against her.

Additionally, he urged the people of Northern Negros to overcome fear and to unite and struggle against state forces’ militarization and terrorism in the communities.

Meanwhile, the NPA-Northern Negros (Roselyn Jean Pelle Command) condemned the 79th IB for staging a fake encounter in Sitio Tauma, Barangay Bandila on the afternoon of December 13. Spokesperson Ka Cecil Estrella firmly denied that the people’s army was present in the barangay on that day.

Ka Cecil even explained that the “encounter site” was only about one kilometer away from a CAA detachment in the said barangay. “It is ridiculous for the 79th IB to choose this location for their fake encounter. The public will never believe that the NPA would camp within a paramilitary detachment’s perimeter,” he said.

The fake encounter only clearly demonstrates the 79th IB’s desperation to report supposed successes as the year ends. “To cover up their defeats and to secure a large operational fund, the 79th IB is staging encounters and other theatrics,” the spokesperson added.

According to the 79th IB report, the drama lasted 12 minutes, when residents “tipped” the presence of armed individuals. The soldiers’ ridiculous story estimated seven Red guerrillas they encountered, with numerous weapons seized, including an M16, a .38 revolver, magazines, ammunition, medical supplies, food, personal items, and documents. The 79th IB also delusionally praised the community for allegedly helping pinpoint the people’s army.