The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) for the killing of a 74-year-old grandmother whom the communist insurgents reportedly tagged as a spy in Negros.
In a statement Saturday night, NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. called the killing of Leonora “Leonor” Anguit, a clear case of “spy-tagging” turned into summary execution, a pattern which the NPA uses to terrorize civilian communities in Negros.
She was shot in the head in Brgy. Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3.
“Leonor was branded a ‘spy’ and killed. Spy-tagging is not just a label—it is a death sentence,” he said.
Initial reports said Anguit’s attackers openly identified themselves as members of the NPA, deliberately searched for Anguit, isolated her, and shot her at close range.
The NPA’s Armando Sumayang Jr. Command has claimed responsibility for her killing.
She reportedly was the owner of the house where seven members of the NPA were killed on April 27, 2025.
“This method is familiar and horrifying. Accuse without proof, threaten without mercy, and kill without due process,” Torres said.
He said Anguit’s supposed “crime” stemmed from NPA elements having previously used her property and later suffering losses in encounters with government forces.
“Instead of taking responsibility for their own actions, they turned their anger on an elderly civilian. Suspicion became a death warrant,” Torres said.
He added that Anguit’s murder fits a documented pattern of systematic spy-tagging and liquidation in Negros.
From early to late last year alone, civilians—farmers, laborers, tricycle drivers, barangay officials, forest guards, vendors, and community leaders—were killed after being labeled “informants”, he said.
“These killings were even claimed by NPA units and formations. That shows intent—and a disturbing pride in targeting unarmed people. This is not (a) revolution. It is terror,” Torres said.
“We urge citizens to report threats, harassment, or so-called ‘trials’ being conducted in communities. Silence is dangerous. Silence gives killers time,” the NTF-ELCAC official said.*PNA
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