Murder charges have been filed against seven identified members of the New People’s Army, allegedly behind the killing of Lalong barangay chairman Benjamen Javoc of Calatrava, provincial police spokesman, P/Lt. Judesses Catalogo, said.
But Catalogo did not name the seven respondents in the murder charges to protect the witnesses, whose lives may be put in danger and possible retaliation from the NPA.
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, tagged the group of rebels, under Roger Fabellar, with aliases of Arnel Tapang and Jong, as behind the killing of Javoc and the summary execution of two other civilians, who were alleged to be military informants.
Catalogo maintained that the shooting incidents that took place in the hinterlands were isolated cases, and stressed that Negros Occidental remains generally peaceful.
Javines said that remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front, also known as the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command, especially the group of Fabellar, are terrorizing those who are not supporting them and those supporting government efforts in bringing development in the countryside, through the TF-ELCAC or Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict.
The Peace and Order Council of Calatrava recently held a special meeting, as requested by the 79th Infantry Battalion, to address the increasing number of shooting incidents in the town’s hinterlands.
Javines stressed the need for all barangay officials and residents to immediately report the presence of any armed group in their communities, as he also reported the increase in the bounty for the arrest of Fabellar.
An amount of P300,000 is being offered for the apprehension of Fabellar, he added.
Calatrava Mayor Marilyn Era, who presided over the Municipal Peace and Order Council meeting Sept. 2 at the municipal evacuation center, said that all shooting incidents are being investigated by concerned authorities.
Era also ordered the Calatrava police to further intensify security through the conduct of visibility operations and checkpoints, in coordination with the Philippine Army.
As to the killing of Cabcab barangay chairman Danilo Dautil in Isabela town, Catalogo said the police is now ready to file charges against the suspects, in coordination with the family of the victim./GB
