Militants protest alleged NPA leader’s arrest 

Militant activists protest at camp crame on tuesday, feb 14 to defend Ferdinand Castillo against illegal arrest and harassments and to protest against the orders of the PNP to rearrest NDFP consultants, including Alan Jazmines and Tirso Alcantara who were scheduled for arraignment tom at the Taguig RTC. INQUIRER / Grig C. Montegrande

Militant groups hit the Philippine National Police (PNP) for “illegally arresting” alleged New People’s Army (NPA) leader Ferdinand Castillo in Caloocan City over the weekend.

They also expressed alarm over Castillo’s arrest as it might lead to a series of arrests against urban-based activists after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an all-out war against the NPA.

Dozens of protesters stormed Camp Crame, the PNP’s headquarters, where Castillo is currently detained after joint police and military forces arrested him for murder and attempted murder in Barangay (village) Sta. Quiteria last Sunday, to protest his arrest.

The PNP said Castillo is the secretary of the Metro Manila regional party committee of the NPA, the Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed wing.

Members of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Philippine Army’s Intelligence Service Group seized a .45 caliber pistol loaded with five ammunition during Castillo’s arrest.

READ: Ranking communist leader nabbed in Caloocan

But Bayan Metro Manila vehemently denied the PNP’s claims. Mong Palatino, Bayan Metro Manila chairperson, told reporters at the rally that Castillo is not an NPA leader.

“Siya ay Bayan Metro Manila campaign officer. Hindi totoo ‘yung sinasabing high ranking NPA leader siya,” he said.

“Castillo is a veteran activist who resisted martial law and devoted his life serving the farmers of Cagayan and the urban poor of Manila. He is a true patriot and not a criminal murderer,” Palatino said in a separate statement.

Instead of arresting activists, Palatino said the PNP should focus on catching criminals within its ranks, including “ninja cops and scalawag cops violating the rights of the people.”

A case for violation of Republic Act. No 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, was  filed against Castillo.

Castillo is currently detained at the CIDG-National Capital Region office at Camp Crame.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa reiterated that communist leaders will be arrested as long as they have standing warrants of arrest.

Militants claim the murder charges filed against Castillo were trumped up./rga