Skip to content
OurVote2022logo
mindanews-fact-check-logo-1
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures
Menu
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures

NPA demands justice for death of ‘hors de combat’ member

  • Malu Cadelina-Manar

-

  • October 28, 2020
Share this story

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 28 Oct) – A leader of the New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao has condemned and demanded justice for the killing on October 11 of one of their top leaders whom he considered as “hors de combat.”

The French term is used to refer to military personnel or combatants who are incapable of fighting because of unconsciousness, wounds or sickness, among others.

In a press statement issued to media on Tuesday, Rigoberto Sanchez, of the NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command, said Dennis “Ka Mayen” Rodinas was recuperating after having sought medical treatment in Cebu City when government forces allegedly stormed and “summarily” executed him.

Sanchez also urged the “unconditional” release from prison pregnant NPA leader Girlie Mercado and two of Rodina’s relatives: Ryan Moralde and the latter’s sister, Rodelyn.

According to Sanchez, Rodinas’s failing health forced him to seek medical attention late last year.

The military, however, said Rodinas was killed in a gunfight.

Major Eduardo Precioso, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Central Command, said that Rodinas was killed after a gunfight with 30 Army and police operatives in his newly constructed house in Barangay Pong-ol Sibugay in Cebu City.

Precioso said the joint Army-police team was serving the five arrest warrants issued by Branch 3 and Branch 56 of the Regional Trial Courts in Compostela, Davao de Oro for murder, terroristic acts and other alleged heinous crimes against Rodinas, but the rebel leader resisted arrest.

Rodinas, said Sanchez, led the raid in April 14, 2015 of the residential compound of Mayor Joselito Brillantes of Monkayo, Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley) and disarmed his private army after they seized 74 of their high-powered firearms and machine guns.

Three years prior to the attack against Brillantes, Rodinas and his team reportedly confiscated 66 high-powered guns issued to a private security agency that allegedly protected a large-scale mining company in Butuan City.

They also attacked in April 2017 Lapanday Foods Corporation in Davao City, Sanchez said.

“It was also in 2017 that Rodinas allegedly executed a certain Dario Otaza, leader of a para-military group, and his son Daryl in Agusan del Sur,” Sanchez said.

The NPA spokesman revealed that Rodinas was captured and jailed for several years in Western Mindanao before he allegedly staged a daring escape in July 2011 through help from an NPA unit in Kitao-tao, Bukidnon.

Rodinas was reportedly onboard a vehicle of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) headed towards the Davao City Penal Colony when members of NPA Front 53 under then Commander Jasmine flagged it down.

The rebels apparently rescued Rodinas and captured as “prisoners of war” four BJMP personnel, including its jail warden.

“Time and again, the state forces failed to realize that killing a revolutionary will not stem the tide of the revolution, but will only flame the anger of the masses,” Sanchez stressed in a statement. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)

Your perspective matters! Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage respectful discussions. Don't hesitate to share your ideas or engage with others.
Advertisement
Rakrakan
Follow us on Facebook
Facebook
The MindaNews Podcast
-- ad here--

TOP STORIES

Approval, trust ratings of Bongbong, Sara down – PUBLiCUS Asia survey

H. Marcos C. Mordeno September 22, 2023 2:46 pm

2 ride-hailing companies awaiting endorsement from Davao City Council

Miah Christine Bontilao September 22, 2023 2:21 pm

Groups urge Filipino youth to remember martial law

Antonio L. Colina IV September 21, 2023 4:29 pm

Brgy officials with no lechon experience win Iligan’s ‘Indigay sa Litson’

Marivic Omandam Davis September 21, 2023 12:16 pm

Guv seeks deeper probe on Surigao Norte cult

Chris V. Panganiban September 20, 2023 7:12 pm

MINDAVIEWS

KINURISKURIS: San Pedro Cathedral

Keith Bacongco September 17, 2023 2:51 pm

BATANG MINDANAW: To my 22-year-old writer self 

Jhon Steven C. Espenido September 17, 2023 2:51 pm

TURNING POINT: Responding to the Extended Provocation

William R. Adan September 11, 2023 3:13 pm
Read more MINDAVIEWS

BUSINESS NEWS

18 homegrown cafés joining Davao Coffee Crawl

Antonio L. Colina IV September 20, 2023 3:12 pm

25 delegates from Mindanao to join international expo in Sabah

Antonio L. Colina IV September 13, 2023 2:00 pm

Senator Villar cites EU’s GSP+ during tuna congress

Bong S. Sarmiento September 7, 2023 5:21 pm

Davao Region’s inflation rate lowest in Mindanao

Antonio L. Colina IV September 5, 2023 9:53 pm

Japanese firm looking for more suppliers of coconut-based food products

Mindanews August 31, 2023 2:35 pm

95 exhibitors to join Davao Agri Trade Expo

Antonio L. Colina IV August 23, 2023 5:48 pm

ARTS & CULTURE

Sarangani writers showcase literary works in Philippine Book Festival

Genory Vanz Alfasain August 27, 2023 4:11 pm

INTERACTIVE MAP | Cagayan de Oro Higalaay Festival 2023

Yas D. Ocampo August 25, 2023 2:00 pm

Davao City Events | Palawud x Holodeck, Budots: The Craze

Mindanews August 19, 2023 10:10 am

Kadayawan Festival 2023 event guide

Yas D. Ocampo August 7, 2023 4:01 pm

The MindaNews Podcast: Aubrey DS and the creative pursuits that drive us

Mindanews July 10, 2023 7:06 pm
eric gancio of yano

The MindaNews Podcast: Davao-based Eric Gancio and the return of Yano

Yas D. Ocampo June 2, 2023 5:15 pm

MindaNews is the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism. It is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media.

23C Saturn St. GSIS Subdivision, Davao City Philippines Tel. No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews.com
Facebook Twitter

© MindaNews 2016 -2023 | All Rights Reserved

About Us

Privacy Policy