By CESAR JOLITO III
Police commanders in Negros Occidental will address a series of shooting incidents that have alarmed communities in several parts of the province, particularly in Escalante City.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) on Saturday, March 7, gathered top police officials to craft strategies aimed at curbing the recent surge in gun violence affecting both urban and remote areas.
In a radio interview, NOCPPO spokesperson Police Captain Judesses Catalogo said authorities have documented five consecutive shooting incidents in Escalante since February 26.
Additional isolated attacks were also reported in southern districts of the province, prompting heightened concern among law enforcement agencies.
Local police commanders presented area-specific intervention plans to prevent further violence.
NOCPPO Director Police Colonel Dennis Wenceslao emphasized that intensified police operations remain a top priority, including increased patrols and stronger police visibility in communities identified as vulnerable to armed attacks.
Catalogo added that police are coordinating closely with mobile response units and the Philippine Army, particularly in remote and mountainous areas where many of the recent incidents have occurred.
NPA owns 35 killings
Security measures have also been tightened across the province as March marks the founding anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA), with additional personnel deployed to monitor public spaces and major entry and exit points.
The communist rebel group has claimed responsibility for most of the recent shootings in Escalante.
According to police reports, the NPA has admitted in public statements to the deaths of about 35 civilians.
In one of the latest incidents, the NPA’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command (RJPC) said its fighters carried out what it described as a “punitive action” against Buboy Carsona on March 4 at Sitio Cagayon in Escalante City’s Barangay Paitan.
The group alleged that Carsona had been convicted by a so-called “people’s revolutionary court” for the killing of Martino Fuentes, Jr. in 2024.
Earlier, rebel spokesperson Ka Cecille Estrella said the same court ordered the execution of barangay tanod chief Eddie Catipay, and 43-year-old construction worker Jerry Lapus in Barangay Pinapugasan on February 28.
The NPA accused the two men of acting as military intelligence assets, claiming Catipay served as an informant while linking Lapus to a February 21, 2024 encounter in Sitio Mansulao that reportedly left two rebels and a farmer dead.
Police, however, confirmed that Catipay was shot in front of fellow barangay tanods, while Lapus was gunned down outside his home in Sitio Biga by the same group of attackers.
The rebel group claimed that its operatives recovered two caliber .45 pistols, a .357 revolver, and several rounds of ammunition from the victims.
In an earlier attack on February 26, the RJPC-NPA also admitted responsibility for the killing of Bigboy Ferrer at Sitio Lumanab in Escalante City’s Barangay Dian-ay.
The group alleged that Ferrer was involved in illegal activities and served as a guide for troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing as police continue to strengthen security operations across Negros Occidental to prevent further violence and ensure public safety./CJ, WDJ