BACOLOD CITY – The killing spree of civilians perpetrated by the New People’s Army continues without let up, following the admission of the summary execution of three more victims killed on February 28 and March 4, in the barangays of Paitan and Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
It brings to about 35 the civilians killed and claimed by the NPA in their issued statements, since March last year.
In a statement, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-New People’s Army (RJPC-NPA) said its special operations unit carried out a punitive action against a certain Buboy Carsona on March 4 in Sitio Cagayon, Brgy. Paitan, Escalante City.
The rebel group alleged that Carsona was found guilty by the people’s revolutionary court for the murder of Martino Fuentes Jr. in 2024.
Rebel spokesperson Ka Cecille Estrella also implemented the standing order of the people’s court to kill two armed military intelligence assets they identified as Eddie Catipay, a barangay tanod chief, and Jerry Lapus, a 43-year-old construction worker, in Brgy. Pinapugasanm, also in Escalante City, on Feb. 28.
The rebel group alleged that Catipay was an intelligence asset in the locality, while linking Lapus to the encounter in Sitio Mansulao, Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, on Feb. 21, 2024, which led to the death of two red fighters and a farmer.
Catipay was shot in front of his fellow barangay tanods, according to the police.
They also claimed to have seized two caliber .45 pistols and a .357 revolver with ammunition from the two victims.
The Escalante City police confirmed the shooting to death of Lapus, a 43 year old construction worker, on Feb. 28 in Sitio Biga of the barangay.
Lapus was shot dead outside of his house by the same group of rebels who killed Catipay, police investigations further showed.
On Feb. 26, the RJPC-NPA also claimed responsibility for the death of a certain Bigboy Ferrer in Sityo Lumanab, Barangay Dian-ay, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
The rebel group alleged that Ferrer was engaged in illegal activities, and served as a guide of the 79th Infantry Battalion. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds photo by tvds)