BACOLOD CITY – The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Saturday denounced the killing of Leonora “Leonor” Anguit, a 74-year-old grandmother, by the New People’s Army, calling the crime a clear case of “spy-tagging” turned into summary execution—a pattern the Task Force says has terrorized civilian communities in Negros.
Stressing that it was an execution, Ernesto C. Torres Jr., Executive Director of NTF-ELCAC, said that Anguit was branded a spy and killed. “Spy-tagging is not just a label—it is a death sentence,” he stressed.
Three men, who claimed to be New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, deliberately searched for Anguit, isolated her, and shot her at close range, at the residence of her sister in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, on February 4.
“This method is familiar and horrifying,” Torres said. “Accuse without proof, threaten without mercy, and kill without due process,” he added.
The NTF-ELCAC official said Anguit’s supposed “crime” stemmed from NPA elements having previously used her property and later suffering losses in encounters with government forces.
Instead of taking responsibility for their own actions, they turned their anger on an elderly civilian. Suspicion became a death warrant, Torres said
Seven of the suspected rebels that occupied the house of Anguit were killed in an encounter with Army soldiers in April last year, in Brgy. Tapi, Kabankalan City.
In a statement, NT-ELCAC stressed that Anguit’s murder fits a documented pattern of systematic spy-tagging and liquidation in Negros. From early to late last year alone, 25 civilians from different walks of life—farmers, laborers, tricycle drivers, barangay officials, forest guards, vendors, and community leaders—were killed after being labeled “informants.”
Among the victims cited by NTF-ELCAC are Elberto Ancero Lubon, Cirilo Llena, Efren Solinap, Jonhee Montoya, Rickne Daipal, Jury Gane, Leonardo Nepalar, Jobert Alsado, Elias Palay, Jesmar Pacunla, Isagani Imalay, Enrique Bertucio, Jonestly Vallente Sr., Jessie Tinggab, Johnny Boy Dela Fuente, Jerry Emia, Joshua Rabor, Anecito Mahinay, Danny “Gamay” Francisco, Maricel Pantajo, Ariel Calumboy, Joamie Peralta, Danilo Inglatera, Emong Kantala, and Michael Robel—all civilians executed after being branded as informants.
“These killings were even claimed by NPA units and formations,” Torres said. “That shows intent—and a disturbing pride in targeting unarmed people. This is not revolution. It is terror.”
NTF-ELCAC urged swift, coordinated action to prevent further deaths, asking the Philippine National Police to intensify manhunts, evidence-gathering, and case build-up to ensure arrests and strong prosecutions, Department of Justice to fast-track inquests and prosecutions, prioritizing cases of summary execution and armed intimidation, Armed Forces of the Philippines and intelligence units to strengthen focused operations against armed groups conducting “liquidations,” especially in threatened barangays.
The task force also urged local government units and barangay councils to activate community protection mechanisms, establish safe reporting channels, and coordinate immediate security for residents under threat, expanded access to witness protection, emergency shelter, psychosocial support, and assistance for bereaved families.
“We urge citizens to report threats, harassment, or so-called ‘trials’ being conducted in communities,” Torres said. “Silence is dangerous. Silence gives killers time.” he added.
The NTF-ELCAC said that it will continue to expose these crimes, support the pursuit of justice, and work with communities so that these murders are not normalized, not excused, and not repeated. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)