Manhunt for Concha never stopped, authorities say

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Where is Ma. Concepcion “Concha” Araneta-Bocala?

Questions on the whereabouts of Concha, the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) secretary general for Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P), surfaced following the death of her husband, Reynaldo Bocala, in a police encounter on May 28, 2021.

Since 2017, police and military operatives have been actively following Concha’s trails.

There were also numerous operations launched against Concha that went as far as Masbate and other parts of Western Visayas.

But currently, “she could be in Southern Panay,” according to Brigadier General Marion Sison, Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Battalion commander.

“She just changes from one location to the other regularly.”

At this point in time, Sison said Concha could not go out of Panay Island.

“She must be present in the area for her to project that she’s still in control. It would not send a good signal to her leadership,” he added.

If she leaves the area, that would create a leadership vacuum and would show how weak their organization is, the Army official said.

Sison said several operations were launched against Bocala.

However, “‘yung nakakasagupa are her outside sentry post,” he said.

Even the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) said that they have launched several operations, along with other police units, against the Bocala couple in past months.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said they scoured several towns in Iloilo and even outside of the province.

“We have never waned in our efforts to look after them,” he said.

Recently, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) tagged as terrorists CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison and 18 other CPP officials, including Concha, and 10 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASH) bandits.

In February 2017, authorities began their hunt against Concha after President Rodrigo Duterte gave a verbal order to arrest NDF consultants.

There were 21 consultants and at least 40 CPP-NPA-NDF leaders that were released as part of the government’s confidence-building measures.

The NDF consultants, including Concha, were temporarily released from detention in August 2016 to take part in the peace negotiations.

But on Nov. 23, 2017, Duterte signed Proclamation No. 360, which formally terminated the peace talks with the communist rebels.

The termination came after NPA rebels conducted several attacks targeting government troops.

Under the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), the protection and immunities of the rebels are revoked 30 days following receipt of the formal notice on the termination of the peace negotiations.

Concha, 71, was arrested in a rented house at Juntado Subdivision, Barangay Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City on Aug. 1, 2015 for murder and rebellion charges.