A COUPLE linked to the communist movement was arrested by police in Bacoor, Cavite, at midnight of Friday, Dec. 7
According to a statement by the Interior Department, the arrestees, Rey Claro Casambre and Patricia Casambre, are members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). Mr. Casambre also has a standing warrant of arrest for murder and two counts of attempted murder, as issued by Presiding Judge Emilio G. Dayanghirang III of the Regional Trial Court 11th Judicial Region, Branch 32, Lupon, Davao Oriental.
The Casambres were on board a silver car with plate number XKS-821 when they were stopped at Molino Boulevard in Bacoor and arrested by operatives of the Cavite PNP (Philippine National Police) Provincial Police Office and the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Both agencies were cited by Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año in the statement by his agency.
rding to police report, Mr. Casambre was arrested along with his wife Patricia, while on board a silver Toyota Vios at Barangay Niyog 3, Molino Boulevard in Bacoor.
”Seized from the couple were some high caliber firearms including one Colt Commander Cal. 45 pistol; one magazine for Cal. 45 pistol; seven live ammunition for Cal. 45; one bundle of Electric Detonating Cord; and one Fragmentation Grenade. Also confiscated were two cellphones, a Macbook laptop and a total of P6,000 cash,” the statement said, adding that, “According to (Mr.) Año, Casambre is the head of the National United Front and is the one orchestrating all the activities of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kadamay, and other Communist front organizations. He is also connected to the Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) and destabilization plots against the government.”
In his statement, Edre U. Olalia, legal consultant to the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front, said, “As usual, and as predictable as the sun will come out tomorrow, the non-bailable murder charges (against Mr. Casambre) are trumped-up and sprang out of nowhere.”
He added, “The arrest of the Casambres, treacherous as it is baseless, once again proved that this government cannot be trusted and that it is the number one violator of the most basic human rights especially of those seeking genuine and long-lasting solutions to the problems besetting our people and our country.” — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras
