NPA Claims Responsibility for Killing Two Men in Toboso

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for the killing of two men in Sitio Aguinaldo, Barangay San Isidro, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Sunday.

Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson for the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command–NPA, confirmed the group’s involvement in a statement released to the media that day.

Police Capt. Rene Boy Eduardo, deputy chief of the Toboso Municipal Police Station, said the intended target was a 56-year-old dried fish vendor known as Palay, a resident of Barangay Poblacion.

Eduardo said Palay was selling goods during a market day when one of four bonnet-wearing suspects approached and shot him dead.

No other civilians were hurt during the incident.

However, 41-year-old Putot, a resident and eatery owner, intervened and confronted the fleeing suspects.

The gunmen shot him as well, resulting in his death.

Estrella alleged that Palay was a military informant who had aided in a March 18 raid of an NPA encampment in Sitio Bairan, Barangay General Luna.

She said he was executed under the group’s so-called revolutionary justice.

The NPA also claimed that Putot was a drug peddler and was armed during the confrontation but was disarmed and neutralized.

Estrella said the action demonstrated the group’s ability to launch offensives near the national highway and close to the town center.

Eduardo, however, said police recovered no firearm from Putot.

He confirmed that Putot had a prior drug-related arrest and was on the local drug watchlist.

Eduardo also refuted the NPA’s allegation that Palay was a military asset.

He said the victim was a barangay watchman in Barangay General Luna and sometimes worked as a tricycle driver.

He added that all angles are being investigated, including personal motives.

Despite the NPA’s admission, police have yet to establish if the killings were insurgency-related as the probe continues.