NPA pays wrong target ambush victims
BACOLOD CITY — The New Peoples Army (NPA) North Negros already paid the families of ambush victims that happened last July 13, 2009 at Brgy Salamanca, Toboso, Roslyn “Ka Jean” Pelle Command spokesperson Ka Cecil Estrella said in their press statement sent to The News Today.
Ka Estrella confirmed that families of Lumapay, Pata, Sultan and Recopilacion received the amount of P10,000 each and a letter coming from the NPA asking for forgiveness for what happened because of false target.
NPA–North Negros also said that they are processing other indemnities to other families.
“We thanked the family of the victims, teachers as well their friends for their openness in accepting our explanation and even a little help on the said ambush,” Roslyn “Ka Jean” Pelle Command said.
They are also assuring the families of the victims that they are doing appropriate investigation and discipline to those responsible NPA unit.
“The NPA is sincere enough in admitting their wrongdoings if there is in relation to our responsibility to the society in helping the less fortunate and the masses unlike the AFP and PNP,” Estrella said.
It was on July 13, 2009 when a group of civilians were ambushed by about 30 suspected New People’s Army rebels.
Three of them were killed, namely, Edmar Sultan, 14, of Toboso National High School, Rodolfo Salipod, 56, driver of the Salamanca barangay service vehicle, and Ena Pata, 50, including a minor, on the spot and injured three others identified as Ivy Recopelacion, 15, also a student of TNHS, Eryl Baynosa, 42, daughter of Salamanca Brgy. Captain Eriberto Baynosa, and Primitivo Lumapay, 61.
The six victims, who included two high school students, were on board an Isuzu Elf Canter service vehicle of Brgy. Salamanca, and were on their way to Toboso town, at about 7 a.m.
Maj. Nathaniel Villasor, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations chief, said that Brgy. Salamanca in Toboso was among the areas in northern Negros liberated by the 303rd Infantry Brigade from the control of the NPA last year.
“Salamanca Brgy. Capt. Eriberto Baynosa, who is very vocal against the extortion activities and atrocities of the NPA in Toboso, later have been identified as the target of the ambush,” he said.