Hunt on vs. suspected NPA who killed Masbate vendors

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17, 2021): Hunt on vs. suspected NPA who killed Masbate vendors (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

One of the vendors killed by suspected New People's Army rebels in Masbate. (Photo courtesy of 9th ID)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Tuesday ordered a manhunt against suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who killed three vendors in Palanas, Masbate over the weekend.

The victims were on board their motorcycles together with two others last Aug. 14 in Barangay Miabas, Palanas town to sell mirrors, floormats, and speakers when they were flagged down by at least 20 suspected rebels.

Reports said the communist rebels dragged the three vendors to a secluded place then killed them. The two companions were able to escape and reported the incident to authorities.

The victims were identified as Jose Lalaguna, 51; Joey Lalaguna, 30; and Jestoni Lalaguna, 22. It was not yet ascertained the relationship of the victims.

"I have directed the local police to conduct manhunt operations against these NPA rebels who committed this atrocity. Hindi tayo titigil hangga’t hindi natin naaaresto itong mga rebeldeng NPA na walang-awang pumatay sa mga inosenteng sibilyan (we will not stop until we have arrested these NPA rebels who mercilessly kill innocent civilians)," Eleazar said.

Eleazar said the police would work closely with the military to make sure that the communist rebels are arrested and brought to justice.

"We will closely coordinate our manhunt operations with the military and intensify our presence in the area to ensure the safety of other innocent civilians that the communist rebels may target for attacks,” he added.

He urged residents to report to authorities information on the presence of NPA rebels in their community to enable government security forces to thwart possible attacks.

The incident is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law and Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150680