NPA hitmen kill soldier in Sipalay City

CEBU, Philippines - A soldier of the 47th Infantry Battalion was killed allegedly by hitmen of the Sparrow Unit of the New People’s Army in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental at 8 a.m. yesterday.

Captain Leo Christopher Cunanan, spokesperson of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the soldier was shot in the head that caused his instantaneous death.

Cunanan withheld the name of the victim as of press time yesterday because the victim’s family has not been informed of the matter yet.

He said that, based on the initial investigation, the victim was “conducting peace and development works” at the public market of sitio Cambugyot in Brgy. Camindangan of Sipalay City when he was shot by about five NPA hitmen.

The victim was with another soldier when the killing happened.

“We condemned the killing of our soldier. They were not on combat mode, as they were only conducting peace and development works. This was a treacherous act perpetrated by the NPA,” Cunanan said. — THE FREEMAN