A senior high student was killed, while another was wounded, after the house they were in was shot at by three armed gunmen suspected to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Upper Mamballo, Barangay Quintin Remo in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, late Friday evening.

Police identified the fatality as 18-year-old Elnica Arroz, a resident of the said barangay and student of the Guinpanaan National High School-Mamballo Extension Campus; while the wounded was identified as 33-year-old Rene Saludares, also a resident of the said barangay.

Based on initial investigations by Moises Padilla municipal police, while Saludares was drinking with his brother, Mark, Arroz was closing the door of the house when gunmen opened fire with M16 assault rifles.

The assailants were said to be wearing military uniforms and bonnets.

The suspects also reportedly aimed their guns at Mark, who was able to convince them to spare his life.

Arroz was killed on the spot after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, while Rene was rushed to a hospital in Bacolod City where he is presently in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Town police also confirmed Rene was a subject of “Oplan: Tokhang” and is presently working as a motorcycle driver.

Police recovered three 5.56mm slugs and several empty 5.56mm shells.

Local police suspect communist rebels were behind the strafing, pointing out the area is known to be infested by the NPA.

Police are still investigating a motive behind the incident, while Rene is still under observation by doctors./DGB, WDJ