NPC urges CPP-NPA to turn-over suspect in Dizon killing

THE National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) last October 16, 2020, issued a statement calling on the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), for the immediate turnover of murder suspect, Dante Encarnacion Tabusares, aka, ‘Bong Encarnacion,’ so he can face trial for last year’s killing of a radio broadcaster in North Cotabato.

“The coddling by the CPP-NPA of Tabusares who is wanted for the murder of broadcaster  Eduardo Sanchez Dizon, last July 10, 2019 in North Cotabato, can only blacken the image of the CPP-NPA as a haven for fugitive from justice and not as a ‘revolutionary movement’ with noble intentions for our people,” said NPC President Paul M. Gutierrez.

Gutierrez issued the appeal to the CPP-NPA in reaction to the statement by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) on the same day that Tabusares has joined the unit of the communist armed movement operating in Arakan, North Cotabato, after a warrant for his arrest was issued by a local court for the murder of Dizon.

Along with suspects, Junell Andagkit Poten and Sotelo Jacolbe, Jr., Honorable Judge Henelinda Molina-Diaz of Branch 61, Kidapawan Regional Trial Court, had issued an arrest warrant for Tabusares for the murder of Dizon under Criminal Case 5281-2019.

The group gunned down Dizon on July 10, 2019, for the latter’s criticism of the ‘KAPA Community Ministry’ where Tabusares is a ranking official in North Cotabato.

The confirmation on Tabusares’ present whereabouts, according to PTFoMS executive director, Joel Sy Egco, was made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which was also tasked to support the quest for justice to Dizon by helping with the arrest of Tabusares.

“There can be no justification by the CPP-NPA in accepting in its fold a murder suspect, more so, a suspect in the murder of a member of the press, given that the CPP-NPA have always claimed to uphold the importance of a free press and the importance of giving justice to all murder victims,” Gutierrez added.

“We therefore appeal to the CPP-NPA to turnover Tabusares to the nearest police outpost as proof of their continued adherence to the revolutionary ideals of serving the people, protecting the oppressed and giving justice where justice is due,” Gutierrez said further.

“On the other hand, we also welcome a categorical statement by the CPP-NPA on the whereabouts of Tabusares even as we enjoin them for their cooperation in giving justice to Dizon,” the Club official ended.