Isabela police chief relieved over NPA killing spree

BACOLOD CITY — The killing rampage of the New People’s Army in Isabela town of Negros Occidental has resulted in the relief of Senior Inspector Randy Babor as the town police officerin-charge.

Babor, who served as Isabela Police OIC chief for almost a month, was replaced Tuesday by Chief Inspector Lowell Garinganao, a mobile force company commander of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO).

Superintendent Glenn Provido, deputy provincial director for operations of the NOCPPO, however, said that Garinganao will remain as 2nd Mobile Force Company commander, with being as OIC chief of Isabela Police Station as an additional duty for him.

Provido added that troopers of the 2nd Mobile Force Company under the command of Garinganao already beefed up the personnel of the Isabela Police Station.

The series of killings in Isabela town, with two barangay officials and a habalhabal driver as victims, for this month alone, had been claimed by the New People’s Army Leonardo Panaligan Command.

Provido admitted that they were alarmed by the killings in Isabela town. Four of the 30 incumbent barangay captains of Isabela reportedly got death threats.

In Guihulngan City, Negros Occidental, which is adjacent to Isabela town, the NPAalso claimed responsibility for the killing of two barangay officials, a retired Army soldier and a body guard of a mayor.

The same rebel group also claimed responsibility earlier for the killing of Michol Ruales in Moises Padilla town, who the rebels also accused as behind the killing of a local leader of the Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas.

Provido said the Philippine Army is also realigning some forces of the 94th Infantry Battalion to address the widespread NPA killings in Isabela and neighboring areas.