• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade (IB) has vowed to pursue justice for the victims of the terror campaign of New People’s Army (NPA) remnants in Negros Island.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 302IB commander, said the rebel suspects must be held accountable for their crimes in the killing of innocent civilians.
“We will relentlessly pursue justice for the victims and their families. No effort will be spared in bringing these criminals to justice. The rule of law will prevail,” he added.
Escanillas said they will ensure also that those who support the communist-terrorist group will be put behind bars.
Last month, the NPA claimed responsibility for the deaths of two persons they alleged as military informants in Calatrava, Negros Occidental and in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The latest fatality is Jeremias Bianggos, 59, who was killed on July 16 in Barangay Imelda, also in Guihulngan City.
Earlier, the Commission on Human Rights started a motu proprio investigation into the wave of killings in Negros Occidental, where 10 civilians accused by the NPA as military spies were gunned down since March this year. | GB
