BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – “They have simply become a bunch of terrorists.”
To Army Brigadier General Innocencio Pasaporte, the New People’s Army is emerging true to form as a gang of armed men bereft of ideology as they continue to kill “soft targets” across the island of Negros.
Only three days after the ambush of policemen in Binalbagan town here, armed men believed to be guerrillas of the NPA, struck again in Vallehermoso town in the island’s Oriental side, killing the husband and son of the village chief of Malangsa.
Captain Rezel Faith Cela, acting civil military officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, identified the victims as Lucio Perater, 61 and his son, Tony, 37.
Pasaporte, who commands the 303rd Infantry Brigade, told DNX the recent tactical offensives of the NPA is part of their propaganda to make it appear that they are still a “significant force.”
The Army general had earlier said the recent attacks is also part of the rebels plan to force candidates in the 2022 May polls to pay access fees for permits to campaign in their so-called territories.
The Army reported four unidentified armed persons believed to be members of the NPA entered the house of the victims and shot them on their chest and head.
