• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office spokesperson PCapt. Judesses Catalogo said yesterday that insurgency-related killings across Negros Occidental has reached 13 since January this year.
Based on the investigations of NOCPPO, most of the victims were allegedly former members and supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) who turned their backs on the organization.
“They are former supporters of the NPA who turned back to the government. Some others were their former members who ceased supporting them, even though they did not turn themselves back to the government,” Catalogo said.
The recent spate of killings in the province were recorded in Kabankalan, Manapla, and Toboso, which were all claimed by the NPA in Negros Occidental.
Catalogo said that the provincial police are closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to fast-track the investigations, despite the admission of the rebels.
“Their admission will be a basis for our investigation,” he said, citing that there will be possible filing of criminal cases against the perpetrators.
ARMED CLASH
Meanwhile, another clash between government troops and suspected rebels erupted near residential areas of Barangay 11 in Victorias City on Sunday night.
According to 1st Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, civil military operations officer of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), they were conducting a community support program and night patrol in the area when they were suddenly met by gunfire from an estimated five armed men, believed to be members of a local insurgent group.
The army clarified that despite the exchange of gunfire near populated areas, no civilians were harmed. The 79IB, with the city government of Victoria, assured residents that it is taking steps to secure the community to maintain peace and order.*
