• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Remnants of the New People’s Army have further intensified of their killing spree in northern Negros, as they victimized two more innocent civilians on Sunday at Stop Aguinaldo in Barangay San Isidro, Toboso, Negros Occidental, authorities said.
In a statement, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command (RJSC) claimed responsibility for the deaths of Elias Palay, whom they tagged as a military informant, and Putot Alsado, who they also alleged was involved in illegal activities.
The Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion strongly condemned the series of killings of innocent civilians claimed by rebel remnants in northern Negros.
Investigations of the Toboso police indicated that Elias Palay, a dried fish vendor, was shot at the back of the head by an unidentified gunman, while attending to his customers during a market day, in the barangay, by a lone unidentified gunman.
Palay, 56, died on the spot, according to the Toboso police.
The other victim, Putot Alsado, who was responding to the shooting incident, was also shot by the withdrawing gunman and his three companions.
Alsado succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and also died on the spot.
Rebels claimed to have recovered a caliber .45 pistol and KG 9 automatic pistol from Alsado.
1Lt. Dan Samoza, Civil Military Operations chief of the 79th Infantry Battalion, strongly denied allegations that those killed by rebel remnants are military spies, stressing that they are ordinary civilians.
By fabricating such allegations, Somoza said the local terrorist group wanted to justify their terrorist acts and barbarism.
Rebel assassins also killed former rebel Leonardo Nepalar, alias Tolendoy, at Spur 2 in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, on June 17, and alias Jury, a former government militiaman, on May 14 in Brgy. Tabun-act, Toboso.
The RJSC also claimed responsibility for the killing of three other civilians in Victorias City and E.B. Magalona in previous months.*
