By Nanette Guadalquiver
BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) on Thursday condemned the latest atrocity of the remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines -New People’s Army (NPA), which claimed the life of a former barangay councilman in Manapla, Negros Occidental.
“We denounce this cowardly act of violence and call on all Negrenses to unite with the authorities in putting an end to the atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA. We assure the family of the victim and the public that we will pursue justice for this senseless killing,” Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said in a statement.
Alias “Pablo,” 54, of Barangay San Pablo was shot dead by a lone assailant using a caliber .45 pistol outside his house in Hacienda Cabayao on Wednesday morning.
According to the PRO-NIR, investigation showed that three suspects, identified through the Philippine National Police e-rogue system, were confirmed as members of the CPP-NPA.
Ibay said the victim, described by his neighbors as a peace-loving individual and a respected public servant, was targeted by the rebel remnants “due to a mistaken belief that he was an informant of the Philippine Army.”
The Manapla Municipal Police has already obtained sworn statements from witnesses, subscribed before the Victorias City Prosecutor’s Office, and is awaiting the post-mortem and ballistic examination results for the filing of the case on Sept. 8.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson of PRO-NIR, said the police are also investigating the fatal shooting of a farmer in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso on Thursday morning.
“All angles are being considered in the course of the investigation,” Malong said on the possibility that it could be related to the incident in Manapla.
On his way home after sending his son to school, alias Bemboy, 35, was waylaid by two unidentified men who shot him several times.
Scene of the crime operatives recovered a bullet shell of a caliber 5.56mm rifle and five bullet shells of a caliber .45 pistol, the police report said.
Ibay said the PRO-NIR is working closely with the Philippine Army to identify and arrest the suspects.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence. We are mobilizing all available resources to ensure justice is served for the victim and his family,” he added.
Since early this year, NPA remnants have perpetrated several killings in the remote communities of northern Negros, claiming the victims were military intelligence personnel, an accusation dismissed by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion as false. (PNA)
