NPAs kill ex-Ifugao village official

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed a former village official in Kiangan, Ifugao for his alleged “crimes against the people,” according to a belated police report.

Three hit men of the NPA’s Nona del Rosario Command gunned down 36-year-old Francis Tayaban Habawil, a former councilman of Barangay Amdugtog, Asipulo town, last Jan. 8 and then left a letter with the communist unit owning up to the killing.

Habawil had been cooperative to local military units, said Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, Ifugao police director, prompting probers to believe that he was slain for helping get rid of rebels in his community.

Policemen and two teams from the Charlie Company of the Army’s 54th Infantry Batallion responded to the slay.

Habawil died from seven gunshot wounds in the chest and left armpit. Five spent shells from a .45-caliber pistol were found at the scene.

Chief Superintendent Isagani Nerez, newly installed Cordillera police director, earlier had urged NPA rebels in the region to join the peace efforts of the government, but added that they face the full might of the law if they go against it.