By CESAR JOLITO III
A former municipal councilor from Negros Occidental’s Isabela town was killed in what the New People’s Army (NPA) described as the enforcement of a “revolutionary court” ruling.
In a statement released April 13, the NPA’s Romeo Nanta Command – South Central Negros Guerrilla Front identified the victim as Rodulfo Fajardo, who previously served as a detachment commander in the area from 1985 to 1986.
The NPA said the killing occurred in Binalbagan town on Sunday, April 12 at 4:15 p.m.
They alleged that Fajardo had been found guilty by its so-called revolutionary court of large-scale land grabbing, multiple counts of murder, and grave abuse of authority.
The group accused him of forcibly taking farmlands and livestock from local farmers and using armed force to intimidate communities in hinterland areas of Isabela.
The NPA said at least 14 farmers were allegedly killed in incidents linked to Fajardo, including attacks described as massacres, arson and extrajudicial killings.
The statement further claimed he played a role in organizing the paramilitary group known as Alsa Masa.
The group said the killing was part of its effort to “uphold justice” in rural communities, adding that some families of alleged victims welcomed the development.
However, the Philippine government does not recognize so-called revolutionary courts, and the NPA remains designated as an insurgent group engaged in armed conflict with state forces.
Authorities, including the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, have consistently condemned such actions as unlawful killings.
Police said Fajardo sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, which caused his immediate death.
Authorities recovered empty shells from a caliber .45 pistol and a slug from a 9mm firearm at the crime scene, indicating that multiple weapons were used in the attack.
Police said they have yet to determine the motive behind the killing, noting that Fajardo, who served as councilor from 2016 to 2019, had no known enemies, pending cases or reported death threats prior to the incident./CJ, WDJ