The “barbaric” killing of a former kagawad and his son in Negros Oriental on Wednesday, February 16, was condemned by Vallehermoso Mayor Marianne Gustilo.
In a statement Thursday, February 17, the mayor said: “we condemn in the highest possible terms the brutal and merciless killing of Lucio Perater, a former barangay kagawad of Malangsa, and his son, Antonio Perater…this barbaric act perpetrated by the members of the NPA (New People’s Army) is despicable and unacceptable, especially executing people who refuse to pay revolutionary taxes.”
She said that the elderly Perater is the husband of incumbent Punong Barangay Beatriz Perater.
The local government condemns all sorts of violent acts, which must not be tolerated, she added.
On Wednesday, suspected members of the NPA barged into the victims’ home “to extort and threaten the family,” 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Kim Apitong said.
He claimed the family was targeted because they “stood up and rejected” the demands of the NPA to stop the planned establishment of a Philippine Army detachment in the area.
This barbaric act of the NPA must stop, Apitong added.*