NDF rebukes 'EJKs' in Negros Oriental
BACOLOD CITY — The National Democratic Front-Negros had condemned the series of alleged extra-judicial killings in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, but blamed these to a death squad, which it claimed as secretly organized by state security forces.
Ka Frank Fernandez, NDF-Negros spokesperson, alleged in a statement, dated October 9, that the systematized killings by a state-sponsored death squad claimed the lives of seven victims, majority of whom were farmers, as well as Oscar Aseldo, an employee of the Department of Education in Negros Oriental.
Fernandez also alleged that his group received information that 18 more civilians as well as leaders of farmer's organizations are being targeted for liquidation.
He also lambasted the Guihulngan City police force for not taking action against the killers of the Calago couple at Barangay Tacpao in the city, of which he had linked to the members of the Philippine Army.
The NPA had claimed responsibility for the ambush and killing of six Guihulngan policemen, including Superintendent Arnel Arpon, chief of the Guihulngan Police, and inflicting injuries to three others.
But Fernandez criticized the Commission on Human Rights for using the version of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in its investigation on the killings.
Meanwhile, the Rachelle Mae Palang Command (RMPC) of the NPA, in another statement, claimed responsibility for the death of Melvin Acabo on September 27 at Brgy. Talalac in Santa Catalina town of Negros Oriental.
Ka. Estrella Banagbanag, spokesperson of the RMPC, alleged that Acabo was an intelligence operative of the 79th Infantry Battalion, and received P9,000 a month from his handler.
Banagbanag added that the companion of Acabo, she identified as Junie Cabugwason, was also punished by the NPA in March this year, while the identity of the woman, who was alleged to be also a military asset, is still being determined.