Suspected NPA rebels kill man in Negros town

BACOLOD CITY — A man was gunned down by five unidentified armed men who introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Sunday.

The victim was identified as Rodel Nobleza, 37, of Barangay Marcelo.

Police Major Lumyaen Lidawan, Calatrava town police chief, said the victim was riding his motorcycle with two minors on their way to Don Salvador Benedicto town, when they were flagged down by the perpetrators.

Lidawan said the victim and his minor-companions alighted from their motorcycle.

However, the victim’s companions aged 16 and 17 were told by the armed men to turn their backs, afterwhich, gunshots were heard.

The perpetrators fled, leaving the victim with three gunshot wounds, and the minors unharmed.

Police recovered from the crime scene a fired bullet of 5.56mm firearm.

Lidawan said the victim was reportedly carrying P80,000 to buy some animals in Don Salvador Benedicto town, according to his wife. But, the money was reportedly missing after the shooting happened, he added.

Lidawan said that there were reported sightings of armed rebels in the area. Thus, they are looking into the incident as insurgency-related.

However, he said they could not determine yet why the victim was targeted by the perpetrators.