The summary execution of four civilians by the New People’s Army rebels in Sitio Agit, Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on May 14 was done in the presence of their families, who were trembling in fear, crying, and pleading for the lives of their loved ones, Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, said yesterday.
The victims were identified as Ronelo Quirante, Roger Fat, and couple Rodrigo and Celerina Lubay, all of the sitio. Flores said they were suspected by the NPA as government informants, in connection with the deaths of their 10 comrades during an encounter with the 62IB on March 23 in the same area.
The family members of the victims, who witnessed the killings, were traumatized by the barbaric acts of the terrorist group, he added.
Guihulngan City Mayor Carlo Jorge “Guido” Reyes and the Philippine Army strongly condemned the killing of the four in the sanctity of their own homes.
Capt. Kelvin Bayaban, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations officer, disputed allegations that the four were military informants, and said the information leading to the encounter in March came from disgruntled NPA members, who are waiting for an opportune time to leave the terrorist organization.
Bayaban added the families of the victims were ordered to leave the area, or something may also happen to them.
The 62nd Infantry Battalion will protect communities being threatened by the NPA, Bayaban said, adding that the Army and the local government of Guihulngan City will extend assistance to the victims.
“This is simply too much hardship and pain inflicted on the people of Sitio Agit,” Reyes said, apparently referring to the killing of the four civilians.
He called on peace-loving residents of Guihulngan and law enforcement agencies to unite against the atrocities perpetrated by the CPP-NPA.
Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, also strongly denounced the terroristic acts of the CPP-NPA, and said “this only confirms the terroristic nature of their organization, which the Anti-Terrorism Council designates as a terrorist organization.” — GB
