‘Rebels’ rob, kill Negros trader

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Robbers claiming to be New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed a businessman after divesting him of P200,000 in cash in Bago City, Negros Occidental last Friday, police said.

Four armed men, who introduced themselves as NPA guerrillas, robbed and shot dead businessman Manolo Tarrosa, 40, in his residence in Barangay Binubuhan, Bago City, said Superintendent David Cachumbo, Bago police chief.

The armed men, two of whom were wearing ski masks, also shot Manolo’s elder brother, Hermoso, and his son, Ronil, but the two survived.

Cachumbo said the robbers could just be part of an organized crime group operating in southern Negros Occidental.