LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines– Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels beheaded a barangay councilman of Cabaloaon in Guinobatan, Albay.
Maj. Narsan Obuyes, 2nd Infantry Batallion (IB) spokesperson, said Ely Oguis was kidnapped, shot dead and beheaded in Purok 6, Sitio Palatbuton on Sunday.
“We condemn this terroristic act of the NPA to sow fear among the people especially in far-flung barangays,” said Obuyes in a text message to The STAR.
Col. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Army 901st Infantry Brigade said the victim may have been killed for failure to remit “revolutionary” taxes. “He was a barangay councilman and their (NPA) collector. He failed to remit the money,” he said.
Initial investigation showed the victim suffered six bullet wounds.
NPA guerrillas also engaged members of the 2nd IB assigned in the barangay in a gunfight at around 11:30 p.m. Nobody was reported hurt on the government side.
Lt. Col. Audrey Pacia, commanding officer of the 2nd IB, said he ordered a manhunt for the rebels, who fled toward Sitio Mawaswas in Barangay Batbat.– Celso Amo, Alexis Romero