BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The killing of a volunteer reporter of a radio station in San Carlos, Negros Occidental on Wednesday was related to the government’s all-out war against perceived enemies of the state, according to the New People’s Army.
The NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command urged the Philippine National Police to conduct a thorough probe into the killing of Julius Barellano of Radyo Bandera Sweet-FM Bacolod, who was also the chairman of a local chapter of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers.
JB Regalado, a spokesman for the group, claimed that Barellano was the 27th farmers group leader killed on Negros island.
Regalado also sought an end to extrajudicial killings and attacks on media personalities.
Barellano was shot at close range by unidentified motorcycle-riding men in front of his residence in Barangay Rizal.
Superintendent D’artagnan Katalbas, San Carlos police chief, said the family of Barellano refused an autopsy on the victim’s body.
Katalbas said they have not received any report on threats against Barellano’s life.