Spate of killings in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental: Police identify suspects as NPA rebels

CEBU, Philippines —   The Guihulngan City Police Station in Negros Oriental is set to file charges against the persons behind the series of shooting incidents last Friday that killed five individuals.

Withholding the names of the suspects, Police Lt. Colonel Bonifacio Tecson, Guihulngan City Police Station chief, said there at least 10 suspects to face charges within the week.

"Dili lang nato nganlan kay kung makahibaw sila sa ilang ngalan, managan, manago nya nagpadayon pa mi og hot-pursuit operation, pero we were able to identify na nila," said Tecson.

According to Tecson, they found out in the investigation that these suspects are members of the New People's Army (NPA) operating in Canlaon, La Libertad, and the mountain areas of Negros Occidental.

Currently, Tecson said they are conducting follow-up operations and are preparing the documents for the filing of the charges against the suspects.

He said the suspects behind all the shooting incidents are the same persons based on the distance and time, which spanned four hours.

It was reported that five individuals, believed to be military informant and former members of the NPA, were killed in two barangays of Guihulngan City.

Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo, Police Regional Office-7 director, condemned the shooting incidents and directed the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) to conduct further investigation. — GMR (FREEMAN)