NPA claims Binalbagan, Calatrava killings

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for two separate shooting incidents that killed a village peacemaker and a farmer in Negros Occidental this month.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Romeo Nanta Command-NPA, South Central Negros Guerrilla Front, admitted killing 58-year-old Marlo in Barangay Bi-ao, Binalbagan, on Monday.

The rebel group claimed that Marlo was a former member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary and an alleged intelligence asset of the military.

Capt. Joelan Vinson, chief of the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station, confirmed that Marlo was a former CAA member from 1991 to 1993.

Marlo, who was also a pastor, was shot dead by two unidentified persons while he was supervising work in a sugarcane field.

Despite the NPA’s admission, Vinson said police would proceed with their investigation.

Vinson said this was the fourth insurgency-related incident in Binalbagan.

He said two incidents were reported in Barangay Santol, one in Barangay Payao, and the latest in Barangay Bi-ao.

Meanwhile, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-NPA, Northern Negros Guerrilla Front, also claimed responsibility for the killing of Momar in Barangay Minautok, Calatrava, on June 5, tagging him as an alleged military and police asset.

The rebel group also alleged that Momar was involved in gun-for-hire activities and illegal drugs.

Police investigation showed that the victim was inside his residence when four unidentified armed men arrived and forcibly entered his house.

One of the suspects shot Momar several times using an unknown firearm, hitting him in the head and other parts of the body and causing his immediate death, while the other suspects served as lookouts.

Momar’s 22-year-old companion was injured after being hit by a bullet in his right toe.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has waged one of Asia’s longest-running insurgencies since 1969.

The Philippine government has designated the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.