2 ex-NPAs killed by former comrades, North Cotabato police say

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Rebels executed late Wednesday a couple who surrendered early this year and entered an amnesty program for former members of the New People's Army, police said.

According to provincial police, Felix Abaniel, 50, and his wife Teresita, 51, were killed on the spot when NPAs barged into their house in Barangay Singkatulan, Makilala and opened fire with assault rifles.

There is strong NPA presence in Makilala town in North Cotabato from whose residents rebels periodically collect food and protection money.

Superintendent Bernard Tayong, spokesman of the North Cotabato provincial police, said Thursday that residents of Barangay Singkatulan have confirmed that the two were killed by NPAs.

Abenial and his wife had both reported receiving death threats from their former companions in the NPA.

The NPA in North Cotabato has executed no fewer than 20 former comrades in the past 12 months.