E.B. Magalona residents condemn rebel ‘atrocities’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Hundreds of residents in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental denounced the alleged atrocities committed by the New People’s Army (NPA), following the killing of a barangay tanod in the town two weeks ago.

The body of Elmer Ortencio was found with gunshot wounds in a bamboo plantation at Barangay Consing on April 13.

Investigation indicated that the victim was reportedly abducted by unidentified armed men on the same day.

Family, friends, local residents and the barangay officials of Consing strongly condemned the incident.

Residents held a condemnation rally before Ortencio was laid to rest at a public cemetery in Victorias City last Sunday.

They also carried banners and placards calling for an end to the killings, harassments, and other activities they attributed to the rebels.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, commander of Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), expressed his support for the move of the local residents in the area.

Alvaran said that this incident is another wake up call to all Negrenses to shun whatever support they have for the NPAs.

Meanwhile, Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said their all-out support to the government activities further indicate that they strongly condemn the atrocities of the NPA.