• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Army soldiers in pursuit of the New People’s Army rebels responsible for the killing of a barangay kagawad on January 14, encountered the fleeing armed group the following day in Brgy. Guba, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental.
The NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command earlier issued a statement claiming responsibility for the death of Balasabas, a kagawad of Brgy. Guba who was accused by the rebel group of being a military informant.
Lt. Col. William Pesase, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, condemned the killing of Balasabas, which he described as another form of violation of the International Humanitarian Law.
Pesase disclosed that the fleeing four rebels left behind a caliber .45 pistol with a magazine containing ammunition at the encounter site.
Expressing his sympathy to the family of Balasabas, Pesase said that the Philippine Army in central Negros will continuously intensify their focused military operations against the armed NPA rebels to give justice to their victims.*