The former rebel who abandoned the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas was sentenced to death in Manapao, Gubat, Sorsogon.
Apó E. Hápá
Gubat, Sorsogon, [12.15.23] – The local communist guerilla front in the province of Sorsogon has confirmed on Friday that its “kangaroo court” has imposed a death sentence against their former comrade for betraying the revolutionary movement and enlisting himself as a military spy.
In a released statement by Samuel Guerrero, the Spokesperson of the local guerilla front in Sorsogon, Romel Hapa alias Ian was executed by the armed partisan early dawn Friday in Barangay Manapao, Gubat, Sorsogon.
According to the statement written in Filipino, “Si Hapa ay nahatulan ng Pamprubinsyang Hukumang Bayan sa kasong pagsalong ng dalawang baril ng M-16, mga bala at iba pang kagamitang militar na pag-aari ng NPA at Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Nasangkot din sa Hapa sa panunutok at pamamaril sa mga sibilyan”
The former NPA member joined the armed movement in 2012 – but he was put under disciplinary sanctions by the rebel group for taking unauthorized leave of absence and womanizing.
He abandoned the rebel movement and armed struggle in July 2022 – after he surrendered, he served as a guide in combat military operations, particularly by the 22nd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.
Hapa’s death came in the wake of the Joint Oslo Statement signed on 23, 2023 between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to renew the peace talk.