KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 4 Dec) – An alleged former finance head of a New People’s Army (NPA) unit operating in the hinterlands of Arakan in North Cotabato has accused another rebel leader of being corrupt, allegedly even worse than those in government, a military press statement said.
Danny Lauda Andip, whom the military tagged as the “finance logistic officer” of Squad Abe of the NPA’s Front Committee 53, was quoted by the military as saying that a certain Commander Jecko has pocketed cash intended for new recruits.
Furthermore, the military press release claimed that Andip accused Jecko of giving so little budget for food among his men despite the “extortion that the communist group” is doing.
This was the main reason Andip left the rebel organization, the press release of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion said.
Andip, through help from a tribal leader, sought refuge in one of the detachments of the 39IB in Arakan until he finally decided to surrender.
1Lt Silver Belvis, spokesman of the 39IB, said Andip brought with him his M1 Carbine rifle.
“The NPA has always told us the government is corrupt, but in truth, they’re the corrupt ones,” Andip was quoted as saying.
A top rebel leader in North Cotabato disputed Andip’s claims.
Through a text message sent to media, the leader, who requested not to be named, said Andip was just an ordinary civilian.
Andip, the rebel leader said, is a relative of Commander Iring of the Bagani, a group of armed Lumads in North Cotabato.
The leader alleged it was Commander Iring who brought Andip to Barangay Sarayan, President Roxas town and later to an Army detachment at Barangay Ganatan in Arakan.
“Andip was into charcoal making in his barangay and was just a civilian. He never joined the movement,” claimed the rebel leader. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)
