The New People’s Army’s Leonardo Panaligan Command-Central Negros Guerrilla Front has claimed responsibility for a series of armed actions and killings in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental over the weekend.
In a statement dated June 14, the rebel group said it launched what it described as coordinated tactical offensives against government forces and alleged military informants in line with the commemoration of the CPP-NPA’s anniversary.
Among the incidents claimed by the group was the harassment of a military detachment in Brgy. Sikatuna, Isabela, Negros Occidental on June 12.
The NPA also claimed responsibility for the killing of a man identified as Marlo Galan, alias “Panoy,” in Sitio Mag-anay, Brgy. Bi-ao, Binalbagan on June 8.
Galan, a barangay official and pastor, was shot dead by unidentified suspects while at a farm camp.
The rebel group alleged that Galan was an intelligence asset of the military, an accusation that has not been independently verified.
The NPA likewise claimed responsibility for the deaths of a couple in Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, and another man in Brgy. Budlasan, Canlaon City, whom it accused of serving as military informants.
The group alleged that the victims were subjected to what it described as decisions of revolutionary courts over various offenses.
Authorities have yet to issue a statement regarding the latest claims made by the rebel group.
The military and police have repeatedly denied allegations that civilians killed in insurgency-related incidents were being used as intelligence assets and have condemned attacks carried out by communist rebels in Negros.*
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