BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has recorded 14 insurgency-related killings since its reactivation in April, based on data as of October 23.
Of the total, 11 incidents occurred in Negros Occidental and three in Negros Oriental.
Toboso town recorded the highest number with five cases, followed by Cauayan with two.
One incident each was reported in Calatrava, Manapla, Kabankalan City, and Himamaylan City.
In Negros Oriental, two incidents were logged in Canlaon City and one in Tayasan town.
Among the recent victims were a former barangay captain in Calatrava killed on October 6, a former barangay councilor in Manapla slain on September 3, and a purok chairperson in Cauayan town shot dead on October 14.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said families of nine victims from Toboso, Calatrava, Manapla, Himamaylan City, and Cauayan executed affidavits expressing no intent to pursue legal action.
Five other incidents remain under investigation.
Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR regional director, said that while the New People’s Army (NPA) has claimed responsibility for several killings, investigators are also exploring other possible motives.
He added that police are working closely with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to identify the perpetrators.
A special investigation team has been created to focus on the cases.
“They move in small groups, but rest assured we are on top of this,” Ibay said. (Glazyl Jopson via tdg photo by tdg)