• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has challenged the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to address 99 reported civilian killings allegedly perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA), instead of dismissing the government’s call for a United Nations investigation as mere “gossip.”
The documented death toll rose from 98 to 99, following the reported killing of Junard Mansalon, 42, of Sitio Namutang, Barangay Makilignit, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Oct. 16, which was claimed by the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command.
NTF-ELCAC also reported the recent NPA claims of responsibility for the killings of three civilians in Cauayan and Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, who were accused of being government intelligence assets.
In a statement, NTF-ELCAC said it has now documented 99 alleged killings and summary executions between 2021 and October 2026.
It also reiterated its call for an independent international examination of the 99 reported killings, including the preservation of evidence and investigation of those who ordered or carried out the alleged executions. | GPB
