An activist was shot dead by motorcycle-riding suspects in Silay City on Thursday, while the barangay tanod reportedly abducted was killed by alleged rebels in EB Magalona, all in Negros Occidental.
The police said Jesus Pason Jr., 33, was shot in the back of his head in Brgy. Mambulac, Silay, and was declared dead on arrival at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in the city.
Initial police investigation showed that Pason was driving a tricycle, with a woman passenger, when the shooting took place along Mambulac road. The two suspects on motorcycle fled after the incident, and an empty shell of a .45 caliber pistol was recovered at the crime scene.
Human rights Karapatan-Negros secretary general Clarissa Singson issued a statement to strongly condemn the killing of Pason, who, she said, was a member of urban poor Kadamay-Negros.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army tagged members of the New People’s Army to be behind the abduction and death of barangay tanod Elmer Ortencio on April 13, in Barangay Consing, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental. – GB
