Family mulls charges against PRO-6, Army
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The suspected New People’s Army (NPA) official arrested earlier this week was released after authorities were unable to provide evidence to verify his identity. While Baltasar Saldo was presented before the court in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, the prosecutor found witness statements insufficient in proving he is Virgilio Paragan, the commanding officer for the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Roger Mahinay Command from 2000 to 2004.
Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) earlier presented Saldo at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City, where he was positively identified by the next of kin of a former rebel; however, the witness had not executed an affidavit linking Saldo to the charges of murder and frustrated murder. Without the witness affidavit, police were forced to release Saldo.
In a radio interview following his release, Saldo’s brother, Nilo, said they may file charges against PRO-6 and the Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion. The family is also seeking an apology from outgoing PRO-6 director, Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao.
Meanwhile, PRO-6 spokesperson, Police Lt. Colonel Joem Malong, said they respect the court decision, noting, they would not want to incarcerate innocent individuals.
Paragan is one of Police Regional Office-7’s most wanted following multiple murder and attempted murder charges. The reported criminal activity forced the suspected NPA leader into hiding, particularly after a string of killings and ambush incidents involving police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit.
He is also considered a wanted terrorist by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of National Defense. The government departments have also placed a P1,050,000 bounty on the suspected terrorist./DGB, WDJ