Victorias City shooting kills 2 with alleged NPA links

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are investigating whether the killings of a former New People’s Army (NPA) rebel and an alleged NPA contact in Sitio 5, Barangay 11 (Gawahon), Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Friday were linked to insurgency.

The first shooting occurred at 5:30 a.m., killing Jerome, a land caretaker in the area.

Police Lt. Col. Terrence Paul Sta. Ana, chief of the Victorias City Police Station, said several residents heard multiple gunshots before passersby found Jerome dead near a motorcycle, with gunshot wounds to the head.

Authorities recovered two .45-caliber cartridge cases from the scene.

Sta. Ana said the attackers appeared to have planned the ambush and knew Jerome’s routine, noting that the shooting took place near his workplace. The killing was not reported to police until after 8 a.m.

According to Sta. Ana, Jerome was among five individuals arrested in Talisay City on April 22 during a police operation targeting a wanted person, days after an April 19 encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, that left 19 people — described by authorities as NPA rebels — dead.

Jerome reportedly served as the group’s driver at the time and was charged with obstruction of the apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders. He later posted bail and was released.

Sta. Ana said Jerome was not an active rebel but allegedly served as a contact for the NPA or one of its front organizations.

About 30 minutes later, a second shooting occurred roughly 2 kilometers away, killing 59-year-old Alex.

Sta. Ana said seven unidentified people with covered faces allegedly forced Alex’s son to lead them to his father’s whereabouts. The son was also reportedly struck in the head with a firearm.

Upon arriving at a poultry farm, Alex noticed the armed suspects and tried to flee, but they opened fire, killing him.

Investigators recovered 11 cartridge cases of 5.56mm ammunition from the scene.

Sta. Ana said the two shootings may have been carried out by the same perpetrators, based on the manner of the killings. He added that police already have a lead, which is subject to confirmation.

Last year, the NPA’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command claimed responsibility for the April 2, 2025, killing of farmer Jonhee in the same barangay, alleging he had killed his sibling months earlier.The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command claimed responsibility for the April 2 killing of a farmer in Gawahon, Barangay 11, alleging he murdered his sibling in December 2024.