By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) based in Negros Occidental’s Sagay City confirmed that the New People’s Army (NPA) was behind the murder of Calatrava’s Barangay Lalong chief Benjamin Javoc, last Friday, August 26.

Colonel J-Jay Javines, 79IB commander, said they interviewed Javoc’s wife over the weekend.

Javines said there were seven men involved in the murder and they were led by a certain Arnel Tapang, allegedly the leader of the NPA front in northern Negros.

The 79IB commander also confirmed that Javoc was the third victim of Tapang’s group following earlier murder incidents in barangays Minapasok and Marcelo.
He also said Tapang and his group told Javoc’s wife the reason why they killed her husband was due to illegal drugs.
Javoc is the second village chief in the province to be gunned down following the murder of Danilo Dautil, Isabela’s Barangay Cabcab village chief, on August 24.
It is believed that Dautil’s murder was also perpetrated by the NPA as the village chief was active in anti-insurgency programs.
Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also condemned both incidents and condoled with the victims’ families over the weekend.
“Rest assured, the provincial government will assist both families,” Lacson said./DGB, WDJ