Rebels tagged in kagawad’s death

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A village councilman was killed in yet another shooting incident in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental Wednesday.

The latest casualty was Barangay Planas Kagawad Elpedio Julwar Mahinay, 65.

Mahinay is the fifth murder victim in the city and the seventh fatality in the province this month, amid the intensified security measures imposed by the province while it is under General Community Quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Based on the initial investigation of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo), the victim was tending to his cow at his farm when unidentified armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) suddenly appeared and shot him several times. He died on the spot.

Before the gunmen fled, they were heard saying that the victim supported the Army and the government.

The series of shooting incidents in the province were reported since May 5 to 13, including the killing of a radio news reporter in Dumaguete City.

In July 2019, the province also made headlines when a string of shooting incidents occurred, killing at least 21 people in a span of 10 days.