• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The spate of killings perpetrated and claimed by the New People’s Army was described by a top military official in Negros Occidental as a challenge for all law enforcement agencies.
This is because they (NPA remnants) are hitting vulnerable, or soft targets, in far flung and hinterland areas, according to Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, who supervises Army units stationed in the province.
Military records showed that more than 30 civilians had been killed by rebel remnants in Negros since March last year.
Their targets are ordinary ARBs (agrarian reform beneficiaries), alleged military spies, and those allegedly involved in crimes, Dumosmog said.
If you look at them, it is purely murder. It’s no longer in furtherance of their ideology, he added.
While it is more of a police matter, a law enforcement problem, Dumosmog said the Philippine Army will always be there to help, as they are aware of the limitations of the police.
Charges were already filed against identified suspects, he added.
“We hope that we will be able to stop all these killings,” Dumosmog said, adding that failure to do so may affect the confidence of the people in law enforcement agencies.
Various groups, including Buklod Kapayapaan, have urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the killings in Negros to end the culture of impunity.*
