By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) condemned the murder of a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) who was shot dead by alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members at their house in Sitio Basyao, Barangay Pinucauan, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental last Wednesday.
The Army identified the victim as Cirilo Paderna, 51, who was assigned to Barangay Maglahos Patrol Base in the town.
According to a report from the Army, about 10 armed men arrived at the victim’s house and shot him in front of his family.
Authorities recovered from the scene three shells and a slug of M16 ammunition and five shells, a cartridge, and a slug of .45 caliber ammunition.
The remains of Paderna will be subjected to autopsy and further investigation.
“Mariin naming kinokondena ang bulok nilang ideolohiya, ang ganitong klaseng karahasan at paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao,” said Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, 62nd IB commander.
Barangay Pinucauan Captain Danilo Salmo also denounced the killing of Paderna, who was among those individuals who serve the village to maintain peace and order.
“Siya ay isang ulirang ama at mabuting residente ng aming barangay, wala kaming record na nagkaroon siya ng paglabag sa barangay o kanino mang tao, nagpapasalamat pa nga kami sa kanyang boluntaryong pagpasok sa Cafgu dahil siya ay nakakatulong upang mapanatili ang katahimikan sa aming lugar at iba pang barangay,” Salmo said in a statement.
The Army recalled that four civilians, including a couple, were also killed in the same manner by alleged NPAs in May this year at Sitio Agit, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City.
Flores is urging residents and barangay officials in Central Negros to coordinate with the authorities to give immediate justice to the victim and his family.
Flores assured that they will coordinate with the police for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
