NPA admits killing tribal leader, wife

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte — The New People’s Army (NPA) group operating in the Caraga region has admitted killing a Higaonon tribal leader due to his alleged "blood debts" to the people, but apologized for having slain his wife.

In a statement, Omar Ibarra, spokesman of the Cesar Cayod Command of the NPA’s Caraga Western Front, said the "people’s court" had long decided on the execution of 60-year-old Datu Marcelino Tuga.

But Ibarra said the killing of Tuga’s wife, Suget, was accidental and unintentional.

The Tuga couple was shot dead with caliber .45 pistols by three NPA hit men inside their home in Purok 3, Barangay Simbalan here at about 2:30 p.m. last April 20.

Tuga was a former CAFGU (Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit) member.

Police, however, are looking into other angles after a nephew of Tuga surrendered to authorities the other day.

Tuga’s nephew claimed that he accompanied a friend and two other persons to his uncle’s house at about 2 p.m. on April 20.

He said he was shocked when his friend’s companions shot his uncle pointblank while conversing with them.

In the statement, Ibarra said they will continue to execute those against the communist movement. He, however, allayed fears of residents of Barangay Simbulan over the killing of the Tuga couple.

Meanwhile, 50 heavily armed NPA guerrillas ambushed a group of soldiers and militiamen patrolling Barangay Mahagsay in San Luis, Agusan del Sur the other day.

The half-hour firefight that ensued left one CAFGU member killed and several other militiamen wounded. A number of rebels were also wounded in the clash, authorities said.