By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The New People’s Army (NPA) is believed to be behind Thursday’s shooting death of a barangay captain in Manjuyod, Negros Oriental.

Police identified the fatality as Barangay Panciao Captain Mario Gonzales.

Manjuyod municipal police said Gonzales was in front of his home when three gunmen, who reportedly introduced themselves as NPA rebels, opened fire.

The suspects immediately fled, while Gonzales was rushed to a nearby hospital, but was declared dead on arrival by hospital staff.

Police recovered several empty .45 caliber shells from the crime scene.

It is still unknown why Gonzales was targeted by the rebels./DGB, WDJ