By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command – Northern Negros Guerrilla Front of the New People’s Army (RJPC-NPA) has claimed responsibility for the assassination of a village councilor’s husband in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, last week.
A press statement issued on Saturday by Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson for the RJPC-NPA, stated that their action against 55-year-old Allan Macasling Sr. was in response to the community’s allegations of his abuse and threats, which had reportedly instilled fear among the residents.
The group also claimed to have confiscated a .22 caliber firearm with 44 rounds of ammunition, a .357 caliber firearm with ammunition, two cellular phones, and various identification cards from the victim.
The attack on Macasling occurred on February 13 while he was at his fishpond located in front of their house in Sitio Banquerohan, Barangay Salamanca.
At approximately 8:10 a.m., five unidentified individuals, with their faces concealed by bonnets, briefly interacted with the victim’s wife, accusing her husband of committing a crime.
Subsequently, one of the assailants shot Macasling in the head with a .45 caliber firearm, after which all perpetrators fled the scene on foot, leaving his wife unscathed.
The police had previously indicated that they were not ruling out the possibility of the incident being linked to insurgency activities, as the barangay is known to be under the influence of rebels.
Furthermore, the police had also considered personal grudges as a potential motive, as the victim was known to reprimand those caught trespassing at his fishpond.
