• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) appeared to have been on a killing spree based on their statements, where they claimed responsibility for the death of five civilians they accused as “military informants” in Negros Occidental.
The recent killings of civilians have been strongly condemned by the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, chief of public affairs of 3ID, said such is a desperate attempt of NPA remnants in Negros to make it appear that they are still a force to reckon with.
All the five existing NPA guerrilla fronts in Negros Island have been declared as dismantled by the 3ID, which is now preparing to declare the whole island in a “state of stable internal peace and security” as approved by the Provincial Peace and Order Councils of the two Negros provinces.
In a statement, the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command claimed responsibility for the summary execution of Albert “Tongkai” Gole in Sitio Coyaoyao, Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla on April 24.
Melanie Golez, wife of the victim, said in a radio interview that their nine-year-old daughter was also hit by a stray bullet in the left hand when the armed suspects fired at her husband.
She identified one of the suspects as Renante “Karding” Misyon of Barangay Riverside, Isabela as she strongly debunked accusations that her husband was a military informant.
Rebel spokesman Ka JB Regalado said that the Leonardo Panaligan Command also “carried out the imposition of death penalty” to Danny Boy Bartolome at Sitio Paho in Barangay Camandag, La Castellana on April 11.
The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command in northern Negros also claimed responsibility for the killing of barangay tanod Alexander “Dondie” Alquizar in Barangay Laga-an, Calatrava on April 20.
Ka Andrea Guerrero, spokesman of the Armando Sumayang Command, issued a separate statement, admitting to be behind the liquidation of Jun Habagat in Sitio Cagay, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City on April 24.
The Mt. Cansermon Command claimed responsibility as well for the death of Myrna Belando, a caretaker of Mag-aso Mountain Resort in Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City, last week. | GB
