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AFP to NPA: Prove Ka Roger is still alive


The military on Tuesday challenged the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to show proof that rebel leader and spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger" Rosal is still alive. “We challenge the members of the New People’s Army, if they feel that he (Rosal) is still alive, then come up with evidence so that once and for all we can settle the issue," said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo. The military had earlier said it received information that Rosal died of a lingering illness two years ago but admitted that it has yet to verify the report. “The Armed Forces has reason to believe that Ka Roger, the famous Ka Roger, Mr. Rosal may be dead already at this point in time," Mabanta said. Rosal was head of the NPA’s Melito Glor Command and concurrent spokesman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). During his heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, Rosal, a veteran in the communist movement, spearheaded numerous attacks on government targets in the Southern Tagalog region. However, he went out of circulation several years ago following unconfirmed reports that he suffered a stroke. “He has been out of circulation for two years already. Considering that he is a very prominent personality, the spokesman, a very high-ranking cadre at that and all of a sudden we have not heard from him for years already," Mabanta said. Mabanta said the NPA could be keeping Rosal’s death as a secret as he was considered as a “source of inspiration to their movement." “He is a high profile personality and the demise of a top personality may have a direct implication into the morale of their organization," he said. The CPP has yet to issue a statement regarding Rosal. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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