NPA admits execution of Barangay chairman in Basey, Samar

By Maj. OTHELO D. YAÑEZ, (FA) PA
November 24, 2007

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City  –  The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas Spokesperson, Fr. Santaigo Salas alias Mando/Grano admitted on November 18, 2007 that Elizabeth Gutierrez, a candidate for Barangay Chairman during the synchronized Barangay and SK elections last October 29, 2007, was arrested and punished by the Arnulfo Ortiz Command, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (ERVPC) operating in Samar Province for being a military informant.  [see press release]

It can be recalled that Gutierrez was abducted by Communist Terrorist in Brgy. Cancaiyas, Basey, Samar last October 24, 2007 while having her house-to-house campaign in the said place. But even in the hands of Communist Terrorist NPA abductors, the people supported and voted her that led to her victory during the last Barangay and SK elections.

Her abduction was not because she was a military informant but because she was running for barangay chairman in the areas whose populace are very supportive to her and would runaway with the communist terrorists’ claws, hence, she was executed. The Communist Terrorist feels that with her would-be leadership they will lost the sympathy of the populace and will hinder their plans to rule the barangay. Now, the Communist Terrorist branded her as traitor which cause her untimely death.

Gutierrez was a former NPA party member but turned her back with the underground movement due to the continuous hardships, disappointments and lies of the Communist Terrorist movement. The plight of Gutierrez is a clear manifestation of a human rights violation committed by the CPP/NPA.

She was not the first person being tried and punished before a so-called “Kagaroo Court”. She was just one of the few innocent members of the New People’s Army who decided to live a normal life but was deprived by the heartless CPP organization. The infamous Inopacan mass grave in Leyte tells us the barbaric acts of the Communist Terrorist movement.

Major General Armando L Cunanan AFP calls all human rights group and investigative bodies to look into the matter and take appropriate actions of the execution of Gutierrez perpetrated by the Arnulfo Ortiz Command, front command of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, CPP/NPA.

He also urged the family and relatives of Elizabeth Gutierrez to file a case against the CPP/NPA as well as denounce the group for taking the life of Gutierrez without due process of law.