By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The New People’s Army (NPA) Leonardo Panaligan Command yesterday accused Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña of “spreading terror” among town residents.
In a statement released by spokesperson Ka JB Regalado to Watchmen Daily Journal, they condemned actions taken by the mayor, whom they also accused of trying to “take control” of local residents.
Regalado claimed the mayor silenced Vice Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo in order to shut out any possible opposition; along with using “goons” in order to commit extortion against Moises Padilla businessmen and conduct land grabs.
Regalado added, Peña was “the brains” behind the raid of the house owned by Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Joshua Barile last month, saying the raid was a revenge as Barile earlier led a raid of Peña’s ancestral home, yielding several high-powered firearms.
In response to the accusations, Peña said everything the NPA claims are lies.
He explained the removal of Yulo’s bodyguards was because they were involved in criminal activities, including allegedly proliferating illegal drugs in Moises Padilla and nearby municipalities.
Peña said, “I do not want drugs in Moises Padilla, and I’ll do what I have to do to protect my town.”
He further claimed, one of the issues currently plaguing his town is the prevalence of rape cases, especially in the mountainous areas of the municipality.
Peña criticized the NPA for not doing anything against the criminals in the mountains.
“What are [the NPA] doing?” he questioned./WDJ