The Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has condemned the recent attack by remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which resulted in the killing of a former barangay councilman in Manapla, Negros Occidental.
“We denounce this cowardly act of violence and call on all Negrenses to unite with the authorities in putting an end to the atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA. We assure the family of the victim and the public that we will pursue justice for this senseless killing,” PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said in a statement.
The victim, alias “Pablo,” 54, was gunned down by a lone assailant using a caliber .45 pistol outside his home in Hacienda Cabayao on Wednesday morning. Police investigations identified three suspects through the Philippine National Police e-rogue system, confirming their affiliation with the CPP-NPA.
Authorities said Pablo was mistakenly targeted by the rebel remnants over suspicions that he was an informant for the Philippine Army. Witness statements have been collected, and the case is set to be filed on Sept. 8, pending post-mortem and ballistic examination results.
Meanwhile, PRO-NIR is also investigating the fatal shooting of a farmer, alias “Bemboy,” 35, in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, on Thursday morning. Two unidentified men shot him multiple times while he was on his way home after bringing his son to school. Scene investigators recovered a 5.56mm rifle shell and five .45-caliber bullet shells at the site.
“All angles are being considered in the course of the investigation,” PRO-NIR spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong said, noting the possibility of a link between the two incidents.
Brig. Gen. Ibay assured the public that PRO-NIR is working closely with the Philippine Army to track down and arrest the suspects.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence. We are mobilizing all available resources to ensure justice is served for the victim and his family,” Ibay added.
Since early this year, CPP-NPA remnants have been linked to several killings in northern Negros, often accusing victims of being military intelligence personnel — claims repeatedly denied by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion.
