Joma and Top Communist Leaders Charged with Frustrated Murder in Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY--The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Masbate has filed multiple frustrated murder charges against seven top ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leaders for the ambush of Masbate Governor Elisa Kho last January 11 in Cataingan town in Masbate.
Facing multiple frustrated murder with damages to property are Jose Maria Sison alias Joma, Luis Jalondoni, Gregorio Rosal, Luis Gonzaga aka “JP”, Greg Banares, Joel Atibagos alias Ka Joel of Barangay Parina, Palanas, Masbate, and Elizabeth Yanzon of Barangay Gahit, Cataingan.
The charges were filed on Tuesday before the National Prosecutor’s Office in Masbate City, docketed under NPS Nr. V-12-INV-09C-00108.
Supt. Eliciar Bron PNP Bikol spokesman, said the case was in connection with the ambush staged by NPA cadres on the convoy of Gov. Kho which was cruising a road at Barangay Gahit in Cataingan, Masbate.
Bron said the provincial executive and one of her escorts were wounded in the rebel attack where two improvised explosive devices (IED) were placed at a road shoulder of the highway.
Probers said witnesses identified two ambush suspects as Joel Atibago and Elizabeth Yanson, both NPA cadres.
Greg Banares, National Democratic Front (NDF) Bikol spokesman, in a press statement, admitted the ambush was staged by insurgents of the Jose Rapsing Command operating in Masbate island province.
Banares apologized to the governor for the incident, explaining the ambuscade targeted the members of the 507th Provincial Mobile Group who secured Kho’s entourage. (PNA)