• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Three armed men, who were claiming to be New People’s Army rebels, shot and killed a 74-year-old woman on Wednesday at Purok Halimbawa in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
Police investigations showed that three unidentified armed men went to the house of the victim on Wednesday night, around 7:30 p.m.
Failing to locate her, the armed men, accompanied by the husband of the victim, proceeded to another house, where she was located.
After introducing themselves as NPA members, the armed men shot the victim in the head, without any reason at all, police investigations further showed.
The suspects immediately left the scene, while the victim’s body was brought to SOLA Gracia Funeral Homes for a post-mortem examination.
The house owned by the victim was reportedly used by seven rebels who died in an encounter with Army soldiers in April last year.
The Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion has strongly condemned the killing of an elderly person.
While they have yet to establish the identities of the perpetrators, Lt. Col. Roberto Maduli, 15IB commander, in a statement, said they are now closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police to ensure a fair, objective and comprehensive investigation, as to the killing of an innocent civilian.*
