A MANHUNT is underway against suspected members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) who allegedly killed five persons in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Sunday.
Eleazar assured the bereaved families of the victims that the PNP will exert all efforts to put the perpetrators behind bars.
“Sa ngayon po ay patuloy ang pagtugis ng mga awtoridad sa mga suspek sa krimen. Ipinapangako ko po sa mga naulila ng mga biktima na bibigyan namin ng hustisya ang kanilang pagkamatay (Right now, authorities are conducting manhunt operations against the suspects of this crime. We promised to the bereaved families of the victims that justice will be served),” Eleazar said in a statement.
He said the entire PNP family is offering condolences to the families of the victims.
“We are getting the statements from the victims’ families and witnesses which will be a big help in identifying the persons behind the killing and solving this case,” he said.
Initial investigation showed that the victims were killed in front of their loved ones inside their respective homes in Barangay Trinidad.
He said the victims were possibly suspected by the NPA as government informants in the clash between the military and the communist terrorists last March 23, in which 10 NPA fighters died.
“Medyo marami, umabot sa 10, ang nalagas sa NPA kaya isa ito sa tinitignan nating anggulo sa pagpatay sa mga biktima. Maaaring sa kanila gumanti itong mga NPA. May impormasyon din tayong natanggap na dating supporters ng NPA ang dalawa sa mga biktima. Titignan natin lahat ng posibleng motibo sa pagpatay sa mga biktima (At least 10 were killed from the NPA side and this is one of the possible motives of the killings. The NPA might have taken revenge. We have information that two of victims were former NPA supporters. We will look into all possible motives),” he said.
Eleazar assured the public that the PNP will always be ready to protect the citizenry, particularly residents of barangays in Guihulngan City, against atrocities by the NPA and other lawless elements.
“Inatasan na natin ang ating lokal na pulisya na makipagtulungan sa mga opisyal ng lokal na pamahalaan para mas higpitan ang seguridad sa barangay at mga karatig-pook nito (We have directed our local police to coordinate with our local government officials to intensify security in barangay and nearby places),” he said.
Eleazar said the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are in control of the situation.
“We are ready to protect the community against atrocities by the NPA and other lawless groups,” said Eleazar.
He said the PNP will respond to the appeal of Mayor Carlo Joan Reyes of Guihulngan City to maintain peace and security of the residents.
“Ngunit tayo ay nakikiusap sa publiko na agad ipagbigay alam sa ating mga awtoridad kung sila ay may mapansin na mga kahina-hinalang indibidwal o insidente para kaagad natin magawan ng nararapat na aksyon (We appeal to the public to immediately inform authorities of any suspicious individual or incident so that we can respond properly),” Eleazar said. (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)
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