• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) has strongly condemned remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) for killing a businessman at Purok Kawayan, Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Jan. 2.
The statement came was after the NPA’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command claimed responsibility for the killing of Juvinie Sarona, 43, a known supporter of government peace and development efforts in northern Negros, linking him to the “Sagay 9” massacre in 2018.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, encouraged the victim’s family to file a complaint against the communist rebels for violation of the International Humanitarian Law for their ruthless act.
“We assure them of the 3ID’s support in seeking justice for the death of Sarona as relentless operations will be launched to hunt the perpetrators,” he added.
Sison vowed that they will not allow the NPA remnants re-establish their influence and presence in northern Negros.
The NPA’s Northern Negros Front has already been declared as dismantled by the 3ID since 2021.
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 3ID public affairs head, said that Sarona was simply a farmer and a businessman engaged in buying and selling of sugarcane trucks, who strongly supported and collaborated with the military and the police in the anti-insurgency campaign.
Javines said that Sarona even hired former rebels to work in his furniture shop and other business ventures.
While the Toboso Municipal Police Station has yet to establish the motive behind the killing of Sarona, Javines said initial investigation indicated that at least 15 armed men entered the victim’s residence and fired at him.
The victim, who sustained multiple gunshot injuries, was declared dead on arrival at the Lopez District Hospital in Sagay City.
Police recovered from the scene of the incident 25 fired cartridges of an M16 assault rifle. | GB
