• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern Negros, has officially claimed responsibility for the separate killings of a construction worker and a village chief tanod in Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City, on Saturday night, February 28.
In a statement released by the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command, the group admitted to carrying out ‘punitive actions’ against alias ‘Jerry’ and ‘Eddie’, labeling both victims as military intelligence assets.
According to Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office report, 43-year-old ‘Jerry’ was inside his home with his wife in Sitio Vega when approximately seven armed men forced their way inside at around 8:00 p.m. and shot him multiple times in the head.
Meanwhile, alias ‘Eddie’, the chief tanod of Barangay Pinapugasan, was also targeted that same night by a group of 11 masked individuals who reportedly told witnesses not to interfere as they were only after the official.
The victim sustained fatal gunshot wounds to his head, chest, and limbs, with investigators recovering spent .45 caliber shells at the crime scenes.
The red fighters alleged that alias ‘Jerry’ was responsible for an encounter in February 2024 that led to the deaths of two rebels and a farmer, while alias ‘Eddie’ was described as a ‘staunch intel asset’ in the locality.
The rebel group further claimed to have confiscated two .45 caliber pistols, a .357 revolver, and ammunition, during their operations.*
