Army Says NPA’s Farmer Slay Claim a Tactic to Spread Fear

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion said the recent killing of a farmer in Victorias City, Negros Occidental was likely the result of a family land dispute rather than insurgency, citing a police investigation.

1st Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, civil military operations officer of the 79th IB, said the New People’s Army may have claimed responsibility for the killing, but similar past incidents show the group often takes credit for acts it did not commit.

“It is somewhat a trend or a tactic of the NPA to sow fear in the community,” he said.

The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command–NPA claimed responsibility for the April 2 killing of 33-year-old Jonhee in Gawahon, Barangay 11, alleging he murdered his sibling in December 2024.

Police said the victim’s mother declined to press charges against him in connection with that incident.

Samoza said the NPA frequently claims responsibility for killings to instill fear, even when they are not directly involved.

He said the Army is tracking mobile remnants of the group, often exposing their movements through a series of encounters.

He noted that the rebels tend to move between their old routes across the cities of Cadiz, Victorias and Silay, as well as the town of E.B. Magalona in northern Negros Occidental.

Samoza said Victorias City has also served as a strategic location for the NPA’s extortion operations.

However, he assured the public that focused military operations by the 79th IB are ongoing to contain the group’s activities.

Jonhee was waiting for his family at the barangay hall for a land dispute meeting when three unidentified armed men arrived and shot him dead.

Police said government forces will continue their campaign to end local insurgency in the province.