• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) recorded 14 deaths of civilians in Negros Occidental perpetrated by remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) from Jan. 1 to Oct. 3 this year.
PCapt. Judesses Catalogo, NOCPPO spokesperson, said on Tuesday (Oct. 7) that the victims in Kabankalan, San Carlos, Calatrava, Toboso and Cauayan were all accused by the NPA as military informants.
The latest incident claimed the life of Garde Francisco on Oct. 3 in Sitio Lumbia, Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City.
The NPA’s Armando Sumayang Jr. owned up to killing Francisco, whom they accused of being an asset of the 15th Infantry Battalion.
Two more victims were summarily executed in Barangay Tigbao, Calatrava and Barangay Binalbagan in Canlaon City earlier this month.
Catalogo said some of the victims are former rebels.
With the admission of the rebel remnants, it will be easy for the police to identify and file charges against the perpetrators while other rebel suspects are already facing charges in court, he added. | GB
