By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY—A 52-year-old farmer was found dead in a charcoal yard at Sitio Cabalanti-an, Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental last Monday.
The Leonardo Panaligan Command-New People’s Army (NPA) Central Negros Guerrilla Front has claimed responsibility for the killing.
According to a statement released on April 30 by Ka JB Regalado, LPC-NPA spokesperson, the attack targeted the victim for allegedly being a military asset.
Police Major Randy Babor, town police chief, reported that three gunshots were heard late Sunday night. The following day, the victim was found deceased with gunshot wounds in the chest and neck.
Major Babor emphasized that the victim was not affiliated with the military, as confirmed by the Army, and was not an asset of the police.
“It was merely the rebel group’s allegation,” he stated.
With the NPA acknowledging their involvement in the incident, Babor noted that this gives the police a new lead in their investigation.
This incident marks the fifth NPA-related killing in the province since April 20. Additional incidents attributed to the rebel group have occurred in the towns of Calatrava and Moises Padilla, and the cities of Sipalay and Kabankalan.
