NPA Claims Killing of Civilian in Toboso, Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The New People’s Army (NPA) has claimed responsibility for another fatal shooting in Toboso, Negros Occidental, where a 25-year-old man was killed Thursday in Sitio Toril, Barangay Bandila.

Police identified the victim only by his alias “Isagani.”

This follows the June 23 shooting that killed two men during a market day in Barangay San Isidro, also in Toboso.

According to police, the victim was sitting outside his home with his sister when seven armed individuals arrived and surrounded their residence.

One suspect approached the victim and shot him in the head.

As the group fled, they fired more shots a few meters from the scene.

The crime site is roughly 10 kilometers from the local police station and accessible only on foot through mountainous terrain reportedly infiltrated by armed groups.

Police recovered one spent cartridge of a .45-caliber firearm at the scene, while six more spent cartridges of the same caliber and two from a 9mm firearm were found nearby.

Later that day, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command of the NPA issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, calling it punishment for the victim’s alleged offenses.

However, Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, public information officer of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), said the alleged NPA admission was only circulating via text and has not been verified.

This marks the second deadly attack in three days in Toboso.

On June 23, two civilians—identified by aliases “Palay,” 56, a dried fish vendor, and “Putot,” 41, an eatery owner—were shot dead after responding to a shooting in Barangay San Isidro.

The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) condemned the killings, calling them a clear violation of humanitarian law.

The battalion also criticized the NPA for labeling its civilian targets as military assets to justify the attacks.

The 79th IB urged the public to remain vigilant and assured that government forces are working to secure communities in Negros.