NPA claims Cafgu slay in Moises Padilla

A police officer checks the remains of a Cafgu member who was shot dead by suspected NPA rebels in Barangay Montilla, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental Saturday (September 24, 2022). (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) Central Negros Guerrilla Front admitted the killing of a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in Barangay Montilla, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental last week.

In a statement dated Oct. 2, Ka JB Regalado, spokesperson of Leonardo Panaligan Command, said that Joselito Raboy, 40, assigned at the Delta Company of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Barangay Quintin Remo, was the subject of their partisan operation on Sept. 24.

Raboy, who was unarmed, was riding his motorcycle from the patrol base when he was shot by unidentified armed persons believed to be NPA rebels, based on a report from the Army.

Regalado said that Raboy was an active ally of the military, who was allegedly involved in the killing of daycare worker Cristina Jacolbe, her 16-year-old daughter, and Roldan Montero in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on July 26.

But, the Army maintained that the three were alleged NPA members, who were killed in a legitimate encounter.

The rebel group also alleged that Raboy was involved in the murder attempt of two individuals in Barangay Trinidad in July and August this year.

He was also allegedly one of the three Cafgu members who threatened NPA supporters in Barangay Montilla.

The group said that Raboy’s death served as a warning to those who will go against the armed struggle, especially to those who have surrendered to the military.