Army condemns NPA killing rampage

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Army lashed out at the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army of their “killing rampage,” victimizing innocent and defenseless civilians in central Negros.

Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Ferrer, 94th Infantry Battalion commander, said that contrary to NPA claims that the presence of Army troopers terrifies the populace of central Negros, it was the community that have been complaining of the ceaseless ruthlessness of the CPP-NPA, even before the deployment of his commanded Army infantry unit in Guihulngan City and neighboring areas.

“This terrorist organization is known for propagating terror and criminal activities against the innocent and helpless civilians,” Ferrer said.

He said that evident to their criminal activities included the recent merciless liquidation of former barangay captain Agapito Euroba in Brgy. San Agustin of Isabela in Negros Occidental, Barangay Chairman Virgilio Masicampo Jr of Nagsaha in Guihulngan City, and Policarpio Bulado, a body guard of Guihulngan City Mayor Guido Reyes.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command has claimed responsibility in the series of killings of Euroba, Masicampo and Bulado, as well as that of retired Army Lt. Larry de Gracia, Barangay Chairman Mike Jakosalem of Humay-Humay also in Guihulngan City, and nephew Lenmar Cabasag.

It is the CPP-NPA who terrorized the people of Negros, said Ferrer as he described them as the true perpetrators of extrajudicial killings, and violators of International Humanitarian Law, among others. “Claiming responsibility for the series of killings of civilians only proves that they are murderers fit to be arrested and put behind bars,” he added. —