• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) has strongly debunked the allegations that those being killed by remnants of the New People’s Army in Negros Occidental are military spies.
“They are ordinary civilians. By fabricating such allegations, the local terrorist group wanted to justify their terroristic acts and barbarism,” 1Lt. Dan Samoza, civil-miitary operations chief of 79IB, said on Monday (June 23).
In a statement, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command claimed responsibility for the death of Elias Palay, whom they tagged as a military informant, and Putot Alsado, who was allegedly involved in illegal activities.
Both were killed at Stop Aguinaldo in Barangay San Isidro, Toboso on June 22.
Investigation of the Toboso police showed that Palay, a dried fish vendor, was shot behind his head by an unidentified gunman while Alsado, who responded to the shooting incident, was also shot by the withdrawing gunman, who had three companions.
On June 17, rebel assassins also killed former comrade Leonardo Nepalar in Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava and on May 14, gunned down alias “Jury”, a former government militiaman, in Barangay Tabun-ac, Toboso. | GB
