By CESAR JOLITO III

The New People’s Army (NPA), operating under Armando Sumayang Jr. Command – Southwest Negros Guerrilla Front, has claimed responsibility for the killing of a 54-year-old livestock buyer who was shot dead at Barangay Camansi in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City earlier this month.

In a statement, the rebel group identified the victim as Alberto Jimenez, who was gunned down on Sunday, December 14, while fixing his motorcycle in Sitio Makilo.

According to the NPA, Jimenez was allegedly an intelligence asset of the Philippine Army, a claim that authorities have yet to confirm.

The rebels further alleged that Jimenez was involved in providing information that led to the deaths of Ericson Acosta and Joseph Jimenez, both identified by the group as NPA members who were killed in an encounter on November 30, 2022.

Police reports indicated that two armed men carried out the attack, shooting Jimenez at close range before fleeing the scene.

The victim died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators recovered a .45 caliber bullet shell from the crime scene, believed to have been fired from the suspects’ firearm.

Authorities confirmed that Jimenez had previously received several death threats, which are now being considered as part of the investigation.

His body is set to undergo a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death./CJ, WDJ