By CESAR JOLITO III

A unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) has claimed responsibility for the killing of a 53-year-old farmer at Barangay Minautok in Negros Occidental’s Calatrava town, on May 13, in an incident now being investigated by authorities.

Police identified the victim only by the alias “Gerry,” who was reportedly inside his home preparing dinner for his family when armed men entered the residence and shot him at close range.

The assailants fled immediately after the attack, reportedly heading toward the mountainous areas of Calatrava.

The incident was first reported to authorities by the victim’s son shortly after the shooting, according to initial police accounts.

In a statement released later, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command (RJPC) of the Northern Negros Guerrilla Front, an NPA unit, admitted carrying out what it described as a “punitive action” against the victim.

The group alleged that the victim had committed serious offenses, including the alleged rape of his 18-year-old daughter, who is reportedly a person with disability, and accused him of acting as an intelligence asset for the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Calatrava.

The RJPC further claimed that the victim had allegedly provided information to government forces that led to the identification of civilians as suspected rebel supporters.

These claims have not yet been independently verified by authorities.

Police and military officials have yet to issue further detailed statements as the investigation into the killing continues./CJ, WDJ