Ka Karlos Manuel
Spokesperson, NPA-Efren Martires Command
New People’s Army-Eastern Visayas Region

The New People’s Army in Eastern Visayas region (Efren Martires Command) claims victory of revolutionary justice over the death of Mr. Ananias Rebato, due to massive cardiac arrest on October 13, Saturday. The former municipal mayor of San Jose de Buan succumbed to his injuries following the attempt to mete the death penalty by forces of the Special Operations Group of the provincial command of the NPA in Samar (Arnulfo Ortiz Command) last October 8. Rebato’s close-in security escort cum henchman Severino ‘Tuko’ Tesoro Jr., died on the spot.

The death of the serial rapist, mass murderer and devoted servant of the fascist reactionary AFP, gives vindication to the dozens of women Rebato sexually assaulted, farmers he displaced, harassed and ordered killed, and communities he terrorized for the long time he shamelessly clung to power as mayor of the reactionary government in San Jose de Buan. This is a triumph not only for Rebato’s direct victims but also for the people of San Jose de Buan who have long suffered from massive corruption and warlordism of the small-time despot.

Reports from the local NPA units in San Jose de Buan state that the people are overjoyed, as Mr. Rebato’s death is proof that justice can be served through the People’s Democratic Government and the Revolutionary People’s Court. That while justice system in the reactionary government and their ‘judges’ may wear fancy robes and conduct swanky pageantries it ultimately fails to serve justice especially when the poor are the aggrieved.

His death also puts to shame his defenders in their side of the reactionary government particularly in the AFP. The likes of Rebato after all are the kinds of little tyrants who would attach themselves like lowly, filthy barnacles to the equally filthy 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, all for protection and a share of the cake from each of their own corrupt practices. How fitting for Mr. Francis Agno, spokesperson of the 8th IDPA to declare Rebato’s innocence – for who would do so for a plunderer of public funds, rapist, and mass murderer but his own kind?

Mr. Agno in his statements to the press expectedly expressed his, his overlord, Mr. Raul Farnacio, and their institution’s sorrow over losing their precious intelligence officer – 1ST Lieutenant Ananias Rebato. May we wish to educate Mr. Agno that Rebato did not die ‘protecting’ his constituents, for Mr. Rebato and his likes in the mercenary AFP are the threats from which the NPA unceasingly protect the people.

The Efren Martires Command, in view of AFP supposedly respecting not only international humanitarian laws but their own laws on due process calls for the release of the civilian wrongly arrested and accused of participating in the military action against Rebato. The young farmer only happened to be in the vicinity attending the barrio fiesta. May human rights defenders and the concerned public clamor for the civilian farmer’s immediate release.

The NPA-EV gives the highest salute to Comrade Ambie “Ka Mati/Ka Mamoy” Gabane, who was martyred in the course of the military action. He is a true son of the people, and his death carries far greater weight than that of the counterrevolutionary Rebato.##