By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, offered an explanation as to why members of the House of Representatives Makabayan Bloc were barred from entering Camp Alfredo Montelibano, Sr. last week by saying the group, led by Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate, are “masters of deception.”
The law enforcement official pointed out, he was only protecting the camp, particularly after various progressive groups are now being suspected of having links to the New People’s Army (NPA). Among the offices raided in Bacolod City’s Barangay Bata included Gabriela and Anakpawis, which are members of the congressional coalition.
“If we let them enter the camp, they will know where the prisoners are being held and they will know how to rescue their members,” Baleros explained.
The NOPPO director added, if Zarate wants to talk, they can discuss matters outside but he will never allow the group access into the camp.
Last week, Zarate and former Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares, along with members of their fact-finding team, were barred from entering the camp located in Bacolod City’s Barangay Estefania.
Zarate and his group were expecting to visit the 55 individuals initially held inside the camp after police and the military raided several progressive group offices in Bacolod City and Escalante City.
Zarate, Colmenares, and Gabriela partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas were later allowed to meet the detainees, with Zarate claiming they were permitted because they asserted their right./DGB, WDJ