BACOLOD City – The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) strongly condemned the killing of a former barangay kagawad in Manapla, Negros Occidental, on September 3.
The victim, alias “Pablo,” 54, a resident of Hacienda Cabayao, Barangay San Pablo, was shot dead around 6 a.m. near his residence.
While the suspect has yet to be officially identified, the New People’s Army (NPA) has admitted responsibility for the attack.
In a press statement, PRO-NIR described the victim as a peace-loving individual with no derogatory record in the community and a respected former public servant who once dedicated himself to the welfare of his barangay.
“His untimely death has deeply affected his family, friends, and constituents who knew him as a decent man who lived quietly and honorably,” the statement read.
Police investigation revealed that members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)–NPA allegedly targeted the victim due to a mistaken belief that he was an informant of the Philippine Army. The suspects were identified through the e-rogue system.
Witnesses have already provided sworn statements before a prosecutor in Victorias City. The case is expected to be filed Monday, Sept. 8, pending the release of post-mortem and ballistic examination results from the crime laboratory.
PRO-NIR assured the victim’s family and the public that justice will be pursued relentlessly.
“We denounce this cowardly act of violence and call on all Negrenses to unite with authorities in putting an end to the atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA,” the regional police office said./PN
