3 persons of interest on killing of ex-NPA supporter identified

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2023): 3 persons of interest on killing of ex-NPA supporter identified (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

(PNA image)

DUMAGUETE CITY – Police have identified three members of the New People’s Army as persons of interest in the killing of a civilian in a remote area of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental province on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Romeo Cubo, Guihulngan police chief, said the victim, Armando Duran Babor, was a former NPA supporter but had already turned away from the insurgency movement.

Three armed men shot and killed the 33-year-old Babor while having breakfast with his wife inside their house at Sitio Mag-ubay in Barangay Maniak, Guihulngan City.

The armed men fled towards the mountainous part of Barangay Calupaan in Guihulngan.

Police recovered three empty shells of caliber 5.56 mm.

Cubo said they are gathering more information before the filing of charges against the suspects and declined to elaborate further.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. William Pesase Jr., commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB), said Babor’s murder is an indication of how the NPA can just get rid of a supporter who is no longer of value to them.

“The public should be made aware of the deception and propaganda of the NPA because after they have organized their mass-base support, once any of them is no longer needed, that person becomes disposable,” he said partly in Filipino.

The 62IB commanding officer, whose coverage area includes Guihulngan City, reiterated his call to the remaining members of the NPA to surrender and avail of the government’s programs to reintegrate them into mainstream society.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199209