NPA claims killing of ex-town councilor

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Police are conducting a full investigation into the fatal shooting of a former councilor in Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on Sunday despite the New People’s Army’s claim of responsibility.

The Romeo Nanta Command of the NPA released a statement Monday claiming responsibility for the death of Rodulfo Pajardo, 72, a resident of Barangay 4 in Isabela, Negros Occidental.

The group alleged that Pajardo was involved in large-scale land grabbing and grave abuse of authority and said he had served as a detachment commander in Barangay Cansalungon, Isabela, from 1985 to 1986.

The rebel group said Pajardo had been meted a penalty by its so-called revolutionary court and claimed he had a long record of opposing the revolutionary movement.

“The revolutionary court’s verdict continues to send a clear message that exploitation and oppression will never be tolerated by the revolutionary movement,” the NPA stated.

Police, however, said the statement will not be treated as conclusive and that investigators will still verify all claims as part of the case buildup.

Pajardo, a former barangay captain and soldier, was gunned down by four unidentified armed men while in his leased sugarcane field in Barangay Payao.

Police Capt. Joelan Vinson, chief of the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station, said investigators are not ruling out an insurgency-related motive as they examine all possible angles.

He said police will continue gathering evidence to establish the motive and identify the perpetrators.

“Those were their allegations. We will not rely on it,” he added.

Vinson said Pajardo’s family has been cooperating with investigators.

He said police are urging witnesses to come forward to help in the investigation.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has long been linked to insurgency-related attacks in parts of Negros Occidental, where security forces have continued operations against rebel remnants.