Former rebel killed in Himamaylan

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police claimed that the killing of a former New People’s Army (NPA) member at Sitio Jalandoon, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last Wednesday was insurgency-related.

This, after a witness told the police that the alleged gunman in the murder of 36-year-old Regie Soledad was an active NPA member, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Reynante Jomocan, city police chief.

Jomocan said Soledad was walking with his family at the plaza of the said sitio during a fiesta when the suspect approached and shot him in the head and back.

Police recovered from the crime scene two fired bullets of .9mm caliber, and .45 caliber firearm.

Jomocan said that based on police investigation, there were other perpetrators who served as back-up of the gunman.

Jomocan said that Soledad surrendered to the government forces in June 2022. The victim was then receiving threats when he left the armed struggle, he added.

He believed that the victim’s former comrades might have targeted him because of his decision to withdraw his support from them.

The NPA has yet to issue a statement regarding the recent incident.

Currently, there are 10 insurgency-related killings reported in Negros island.