NPA claims killing of alleged Negros military asset

BACOLOD CITY — The New People’s Army claimed responsibility for the June 16 killing of a 54-year-old man alleged to be a military asset in Negros Occidental.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command, in a statement, said it killed the man identified only as Henry.

According to a police report citing a village chief’s statement, the barangay official learned of the incident shortly after it happened and urged the victim’s family to report it to police for investigation.

The family refused, citing safety concerns, and instead immediately buried the victim’s remains after the incident.

The barangay official told police the killing happened in Sitio Carnawan, Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan, not in Barangay Makilignit, Isabela, as initially reported.

He said a river serves as the boundary between Barangay Makilignit and Barangay Amontay.

The Isabela Municipal Police Station relayed the information it gathered to the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station.

Binalbagan police, however, said they have yet to confirm whether the killing happened within their jurisdiction.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command, through spokesperson JB Regalado, said Henry had previously surrendered to its revolutionary court but later allegedly became involved in crimes.

The group warned that those who continue to commit crimes would face punishment.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has waged a decadeslong insurgency against the government.