By CESAR JOLITO III

Local police and government security forces have condemned what they called the “continued pattern of targeted killings” in northern Negros, after remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility for the deaths of a civilian and a police officer in separate incidents on Sunday, December 7.

In a statement, the NPA’s Jean Pelle Command said it executed a “punitive action” against 58-year-old Mando Ugdiman at Sitio Tagda, Barangay Dolis in Calatrava town, accusing him of being a military informant.

However, initial police findings indicate that Ugdiman — who was preparing to attend Sunday mass — was shot twice in the head by at least six armed men who approached him outside his home “without provocation.”

NPA unit spokesperson Cecille Estrella insisted the victim was acting as an “active military spy,” and further claimed that a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition were seized from him — a claim the police have yet to verify.

The same rebel group also took responsibility for the killing of Police Senior Master Sergeant Rommel Aguilar, a member of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, who went missing before he was found dead in the hinterlands of Calatrava.

The NPA said it recovered Aguilar’s 9mm service firearm and ammunition.

The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office strongly denounced the killings, calling them “senseless attacks targeting civilians and government personnel.”

“These murders underscore the desperation of the remaining rebel elements. We will ensure justice for the victims and intensify operations to prevent further atrocities,” police officials said in a joint statement./CJ, WDJ