Rebels slay MPadilla councilor

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 1, 2019): Rebels slay MPadilla councilor

Suspected New People’s Army rebels shot and killed a re-electionist councilor in Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, yesterday.

Killed was Moises Padilla Councilor Jolomar Bañares Hilario, 51, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. He was declared dead on arrival at the Enrico Roa Elumba Clinic, Senior Insp. Junji Liba, Moises Padilla Police Station chief, said.

Liba said that about 50 NPA rebels, on board three cargo trucks, surrounded the compound of Hilario at about 6:30 a.m. yesterday in mountainous Brgy. Inolingan, which is about eight kilometers away from the town proper, while three of them entered his house.

He added that Hilario was executed by three communist rebels inside his bedroom, after they ordered his wife, Inolingan Barangay Captain Mesil Hilario, and the children to get out of the house.

Several empty shells of M-16 assault rifles were recovered at the crime scene.

The NPA rebels also took the licensed .45 caliber pistol and an undetermined amount of cash of the slain councilor, Liba said.

Liba said he had not received reports that Hilario had received threats on his life.

The Moises Padilla police has yet to establish the motive for the killing of Hilario, while the armed suspects who identified themselves as NPA members, fled towards Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla.

The three cargo trucks used by the NPA rebels were returned to their owners in Brgy. Magballo, Kabankalan City, Liba said.

Moises Padilla is among five towns in Negros Occidental being looked into by the police as probable election hotspots because of the reported presence of armed rebels and their involvement in insurgency-related violent incidents.

The killing of Hilario came four days after suspected NPA rebels also shot and killed a laborer identified as Joselido Ramirez in Sitio Agogolo, Brgy. Macagahay, Moises Padilla, on March 27.

Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in a press statement yesterday, expressed his condolences to the family of Hilario.

“I also join the people of Moises Padilla on this day of sadness and hope that our authorities will pursue the perpetrators and that justice will be served sooner or later,” he said.

This killing has no place in a modern and civilized society, he said, adding “We should continue to work together to maintain the peace and order and our democratic stability especially during this election season.”*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/April/01/topstory3.htm