UP alumna’s ma: She is not an NPA

“My daughter is not a member of the New People's Army.”

An emotional Grace Albasin, mother of arrested University of Philippines-Cebu alumna Myles Albasin, made the statement at a press conference yesterday.

Myles was among the alleged six suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–NPA arrested in Mabini town of Negros Oriental last Saturday dawn following a brief encounter with the government troops.

Six high-powered firearms were recovered from the suspects.

Grace said her daughter was only in the province for immersion as part of a plan to form a municipal-wide Negros Farmers' Association.

“Niabot siya sa Negros Oriental kay nag-immerse didto sa mga mag-uuma. Unsa may dautan ana? It's going to be a different perspective nga makatunan sa akong anak. So para nako walay dautan nga nag-immerse. Dili gyod na NPA akong anak,” said Grace.

If indeed her daughter was involved in a firefight ensued between the military and CPPNPA, how come she did not get even a single scratch, the mother asked.

Grace said her daughter does not even know how to use a gun.

“Natural nahadlok siya (Myles) kay naa baya sila sa kamot sa military. The tension is still there normal ra man na,” said Grace.

Leftist human rights group Karapatan-Cebu belied the firefight in Mabini based on the reports they gathered from the area.

The group's representative Jimmylisa Badayos said the suspects arrived in Mabini on Friday.

While sleeping around 2 a.m. Saturday, military personnel reportedly surrounded the suspects' house and shouted at them to surrender.

“Wala'y nakuha nga armas sa mga batan-on. Before sila ninaug ang military mao ang nagpabuto,” said Badayos.

For his part, Colonel Medel Aguilar, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command spokesperson, urged the group to prove its claims.

“Let them prove that they know better than our troops who were there on the ground,” Aguilar said.

Police Senior Superintendent Edwin Portento, Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NORPPO) director, said all six suspects had undergone paraffin testing. Results, however, are yet to be released.

Moreover, Grace disclosed that she received death threat messages on Facebook which read “may the bullet find you,” among others.

KBQ