BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command – Northern Negros Guerilla Front yesterday issued a statement claiming responsibility for the killings of a barangay captain and two civilians in Brgys. Lalong and Marcelo, all in Calatrava, Negros Occidental, last month.
Rebel spokesperson Cecil Estrella accused slain Lalong barangay chairman Benjamen Javoc for organizing a local intelligence network and being a military asset.
Javoc was killed when a group of rebels raided his residence on August 26 in Brgy. Lalong, Calatrava. According to the 62nd Infantry Battalion, they also took P20,000 in cash and other valuable items owned by the family of the victim.
Estrella reported that the RJPC-BHB seized an Ingram automatic pistol and ammunition, a cellular phone, and six handheld radios.
The rebel group also claimed responsibility for the death of Rodel Nobleza and Renato Estrebillo on Aug. 7 and 12, respectively, in Sitios Kamao and Huebesan, all in Brgy. Marcelo, Calatrava.
Estrella also alleged that Estrebillo, 43, and Nobleza, 37, were serving as military assets and linked to illegal activities.
Lt. Col J-Jay Javines, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, reported that the remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front led by Arnel Tapang, operating in the hinterlands of Calatrava and Toboso, were behind in the summary executions of innocent civilians last month.
Javines also said that a bounty of P300,000 has been offered for the arrest of Tapang.*
