New People’s Army (NPA) fighters shot dead a 53-year-old farmer in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental on September 6, accusing him of tipping off soldiers in an April raid that killed seven rebels.
The Armando Sumayang Jr. Command–NPA Southwest Negros Guerrilla Front alleged on Tuesday, September 9, that the farmer, known only as “Jerry,” fed intelligence to the military ahead of the April 27 clash in Barangay Tapi, where seven rebels, including alias Kumpol and Ka Dhalia, were killed.
Kabankalan police chief Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Indiape Jr. said they are still coordinating with the Philippine Army to confirm whether the victim had any link to the military.
Police reported that Jerry was drinking with his son-in-law outside his home when three armed men arrived. The assailants ordered the younger man to the ground and shot Jerry in the head.
Fear has silenced the family. Indiape said the victim’s wife refuses to pursue charges, citing safety concerns. He added that while police have identified persons of interest, they have not yet proven any connection to the rebel group.
The killing in Kabankalan deepened the wave of insurgency-linked violence gripping Negros Occidental.
From March to July, gunmen struck in E.B. Magalona, Toboso, and Calatrava in northern Negros. On September 3 and 4, armed men separately shot dead a former barangay councilor in Manapla and a farmer in Toboso, attacks police also attribute to the NPA.
