BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson condemned the recent killing of two barangay captains in Negros Occidental.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, who condemned the killing of Benjamen Javoc, barangay chairman of Lalong in Calatrava, allegedly by members of the New People’s Army on August 26, said that the incident, is among the numerous human rights violations of the local communist terrorist group against innocent civilians.
Lt Col. J-Jay Javines, 79th Infantry Battalion commander earlier disclosed that the armed rebels also ransacked the house of Javoc, took P20,000 in cash and other valuables.
Arevalo said that they will not stop hunting the NPA remnants who continue threatening and killing innocent and civilians for their refusal to support their terrorist organization.
Javines, on the other hand, rallied Negrenses to gather their acts together in ending the local armed conflict that has been creating havoc in the countryside.
Too many lives were already lost because of this misplaced and unworthy cause that has turned into extortion and terroristic acts, he added.
Lacson, who also condemned the killing Cabcab barangay chairman Danilo Dautil in Isabela and Javoc in Brgy Lalong, Calatrava, also assured support for their respective families.
The alleged involvement of the New People’s Army in the killing of Dautil was also being investigated by the police.
Lacson called on the Philippine National Police “to identify and apprehend the suspect(s) the soonest possible time.”
Nobody is entitled to take the law into his or her own hand, he said.
Asked if he is in favor of arming barangay chairpersons amid the recent shooting attacks, Lacson said that while that may give barangay captains a chance to defend themselves, it also makes them very attractive for Agaw Armas.*
