The Philippine Army in Negros Oriental is looking into the possible link of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) to the fatal shooting of a former member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Canlaon City.
Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, commanding officer of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) based in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, told the Philippine News Agency Sept. 25 that, so far, no motive has been established yet in the killing of the former paramilitary member.
“Nonetheless, we cannot immediately discount the possibility of the NPA’s involvement in the death of the civilian, considering that he once was a CAFGU member. We are working closely with the police in investigating the incident,” Ilanga said.
The victim, Jerome Calderon Caballes, 32, was shot dead inside his house around 10 p.m. Tuesday in Sitio Ban-ban, Barangay Bucalan, Canlaon City.
A police report said Caballes was preparing dinner with his daughter when an unidentified assailant arrived and shot him several times with an M-16 rifle.
He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, the police said.
The suspect fled immediately after the shooting.
Ilanga said the NPA can still carry out atrocities despite having its guerrilla fronts in Negros Island dismantled.
There are still NPA remnants moving around the island, and the military and police are constantly on the lookout for them, he added. ||
