The New People’s Army (NPA) has claimed responsibility for the killing of a 58-year-old man and a policeman in Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command, said an NPA unit carried out the “punitive action” against Mando Ugdiman in Sitio Tagda, Brgy. Dolis at 7 a.m. Sunday.
Estrella alleged that Ugdiman was an “active military spy” who acted as a guide in AFP combat operations and conducted surveillance on civilians suspected of supporting the NPA.
The NPA recovered a .45 caliber pistol, ammunition, and other items from Ugdiman following the shooting, Estrella said.
The group also claimed responsibility for the encounter in Purok 5, Brgy. Lagaan, where Police SMSgt. Rommel Aguilar of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company was killed.
The NPA fighters encountered three policemen in civilian clothes inside a house and initially attempted to “neutralize and calm them,” believing they were civilians, Estrella said.
The policemen opened fire leaving the Red fighters no recourse but to return fire, he added.
Aguilar was killed while the others scampered in different directions, Estrella said.
The NPA recovered Augilar’s 9mm pistol and several ammunition, he added.*