• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The killing of civilians in Negros Island continues, as the New People’s Army have again claimed responsibility for the deaths of two victims that they alleged as military informants in Calatrava, Negros Occidental, and Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
In a statement, the NPA Roselyn Jean Pelle Command said that it successfully carried out the imposition of the death penalty to Jonesly Vallente Sr., a former member of the defunct Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), on July 11 in Sitio Harvey, Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava.
The rebel group alleged that the victim served as a military asset of the 79th Infantry Battalion, and they also linked him to a murder incident in Cadiz City.
The investigation of the Calatrava police indicated that Vallente, 58, was on his way to his farm when he was waylaid by six armed men who gunned him down, without any provocation.
The victim, according to the Calatrava police, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.
Recovered from the scene of the incident were three fired cartridges of an M16 rifle and a caliber .45 pistol.
The Leonardo Panaligan Command in central Negros also issued a statement claiming responsibility for the death of Jeremias Bianggos, 59, on July 16 in Brgy. Imelda, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
They also accused the victim as a military asset.
On July 4, the NPA also admitted responsibility for the burning of three heavy equipment owned by a barangay official, in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has started a motu proprio investigation into the recent wave of killings in Negros Occidental, where 10 civilians accused by the New People’s Army (NPA) as military spies have been gunned down since March this year.*
