BACOLOD City – The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility over the recent killing of a village chief in Isabela, Negros Occidental.
Barangay Libas captain Rhoy Pagapang was shot dead around 10 a.m. on Monday, a police report showed.
The NPA command based in Central Negros admitted having a hand in the shooting almost 24 hours after the incident.
NPA spokesman Ka JB Regalado said their forces staged the assassination while Pagapang was on his way to Barangay Cabcab, Isabela.
Regalado said Pagapang worked with the 12th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Negros Island in its anti-insurgency campaign.
He added that Pagapang provided the Army with “real time” information about the whereabouts of rebels.
Pagapang’s death, according to Regalado, is a warning to all village officials to refrain from being “instruments” of the Army against the NPA.
On Aug. 10, Barangay San Agustin, Isabela former village chief Agapito Euroba and Barangay Magsaysay, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental village chief Virgilio Masicampo were gunned down.
The NPA also claimed responsibility over the shootings.
Regalado said Euroba and Masicampo were killed for their “sins” against the masses and the revolutionary movement./PN
