By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY — The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-New People’s Army (RJPC-NPA) has claimed responsibility for the killing of a 54-year-old former Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary in Sitio Minasug-ang, Barangay Tabun-ac, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.
The rebel group identified the victim only as “Jury” and accused him of being a military intelligence asset and a drug peddler.
Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson for the RJPC-NPA, alleged the victim had been conducting surveillance, issuing threats and intimidating residents suspected of supporting or being part of the NPA.
Police Capt. Rene Boy Eduardo, deputy chief of the Toboso Municipal Police Station, said the victim was also a motorcycle-for-hire or habal-habal driver.
Eduardo said the victim was on his way home to Barangay Bandila around 8 a.m. when four unidentified men ambushed and shot him with an unknown firearm.
He said the assailants may have waited for the victim to pass before carrying out the attack.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene.
Police recovered 19 fired cartridges from a 9mm caliber firearm at the site.
Despite the NPA’s claim, Eduardo said investigators are still verifying their involvement and have not ruled out other motives.
He said the victim had no known criminal record or links to illegal activity based on police background checks.
“The motive is still under investigation,” Eduardo added.
Meanwhile, 1st Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, civil military officer of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion, rejected the NPA’s accusations.
Samoza said the victim was not affiliated with the 79th IB and denounced the rebel group’s claim as propaganda.
“It is the same old story, which is part of their tactics to justify their barbarism,” he said.
Lightning Strike Kills Elderly Man in Sipalay
An 84-year-old widower died after being struck by lightning in Barangay Cabadiangan, Sipalay City on Monday, police reported.
The victim was found lying on his back with visible burn marks on both arms and his back.
He was rushed to the Sipalay City Health Facility, where he was declared dead.
