Despite the New People’s Army claiming responsibility for the killing of a 58-year-old farmer in Sitio Harvey, Barangay Manapasuk, Calatrava in Negros Occidental the local police are not ready to close the case, calling the rebel group’s justification mere propaganda.
Jonesly Vallente Sr., a former barangay tanod who had since returned to farming, was gunned down outside his home by at least six armed men in the early morning of Friday, July 11.
Police said the suspects called him out of his house before shooting him in the head and other parts of the body.
Sitio Harvey, located about 35 kilometers from the town center and unreachable by vehicles.
On July 11, the Rose Jean Pelle Command of the NPA issued a statement claiming they were behind Vallente’s killing.
The group accused him of being a former member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) and alleged he was involved in a 2012 strafing incident in Brgy. Minautok.
They also claimed he was responsible for the killing of 18 carabaos in the area and had a pending murder case in Cadiz City.
But these allegations were not backed by any official records, according to Calatrava Police Chief Capt. Jesus Alba.
“We are not closing the case based on their claim. Their reasons are shallow and feels like propaganda,” Alba told DIGICAST NEGROS on Sunday, July 13.
“We checked our database and the victim had no criminal record”, the police said.
He added that neighbors described Vallente as a peaceful man with no known enemies in the community.
Alba said they have already identified several persons of interest and are encouraging witnesses to come forward to help build a solid case against the suspects.*