By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) has offered a P300,000 reward to anyone who could give them information that would lead to the capture of the New People’s Army (NPA) leader only identified by his alias as “Arnel Tapang.”

Tapang’s group is believed to be responsible for the murder of Calatrava’s Barangay Lalong village chief Benjamin Javoc last Friday, August 26.

Colonel J-Jay Javines, 79IB commander, said Tapang’s group was also involved in two other murders earlier this month in the said town.

It is believed that Tapang’s group is hiding in the mountains of Calatrava.

Javines also said that the NPA leader has been causing fear among the local populace.

Meanwhile, in a separate radio interview, 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) commander Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte condemned Javoc’s murder and stated the NPA’s allegations that Javoc was involved in illegal drug trade was “invented.”

“Nag-take oath ka to serve the people, to serve your barangay, so ngaa halitan pa sila? So kami, gina-condemn namon ang amo na nga terrorist activities and we will be filing appropriate charges,” Pasaporte said.

Javoc is the second village chief in Negros Occidental to be gunned down following the murder of Isabela’s Barangay Cabcab chief Danilo Dautil last Wednesday, 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.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson over the weekend also condemned both incidents and condoled with the victims’ families.
“Rest assured, the provincial government will assist both families,” Lacson said./DGB, WDJ