Revolutionary Proletarian Army-ABB leader killed by ‘rebels’

SUSPECTED members of the New People’s Army (NPA) gunned down a commander of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) at crossing Lambo in Barangay Locotan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental Saturday morning.

Killed was Jovanie Banista, 50, a sixth district commander of RPA-ABB based in the said village.

Superintendent Rhea Santos, city police chief, said Banista was on board a motorcycle on his way home from Barangay Bantayan around 10 a.m. when about 12 armed men ambushed him. He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Recovered from the scene were fired bullets of M16 and AK 47 firearms.

In August 2014, Banista was seriously wounded when he was also ambushed by the same assailants at Purok Cubay in the same village.

On July 8, a commander of RPA-ABB was also shot to death by nine unidentified men at Sitio Agbalasyang, Barangay Bago, Salvador Benedicto.

The fatality was identified as Charlie Buli-Buli, 35, of the said barangay.

He was on his way to his farm, along with his 14-yearold nephew, when the gunmen blocked their way and fired at him. His nephew was threatened at gunpoint but was unharmed.

Thirteen fired bullets of M16 rifle, two cartridges of M203, and a cartridge of .9mm caliber were recovered.

Police believed the perpetrators could be from an armed group in the area, or could be communist rebels.