All Saints’ Day Deaths Rebels kill former CPP-NPA leader

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – A former ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Oriental was killed allegedly by his former comrades on the eve of All Souls’ Day in Sta. Catalina town of the southern part of the province.

Philippine Army officials have condemned the attack, saying it was an indication that the government has been succeeding in its anti-insurgency campaign, popularly known as Oplan Bayanihan.

The victim, identified as Elmo Taburada, a resident of sitio Avocado in the hinterland village of Talalac of Sta. Catalina, succumbed to three gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

Colonel Marion Sison, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion based in Siaton, Negros Oriental, said Taburada was the former vice commander of the Sentro de Gravidad Platoon of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon Sentral Bisayas-Southeastern Front operating in southern Negros Oriental.

Taburada had voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine Army during the first quarter of this year, bringing with him an M-16 armalite rifle and had since then led a normal life after being reunited with his family in Avocado, said Sison.

Initial investigation showed Taburada succumbed to two bullet wounds to his chest and one on his nape, in what appeared to be a pre-meditated attack by his former comrades in the underground movement.

The victim was at a sari-sari store near his house at around 7 p.m. Thursday when at least three men came up and shot him at close range, apparently with a .45-caliber pistol, Sison said.

A note left behind at the crime scene by the perpetrators showed that the NPA had killed Taburada for at least three reasons.  The note said Taburada was accused of helping the Philippine Army in its anti-insurgency campaign, turning over a firearm to authorities during his surrender, and encouraging other members of the rebel movement to surrender, Sison told The Freeman.

Sison, who denounced the killing of Taburada, described the attack as a desperate move by the NPA who continue to threaten former rebels who have left the rebel organization and also instill fear among the citizenry.

The military official said that, immediately after Taburada will be buried within the next 24 hours, the 79th IB will lead an indignation rally in Avocado and dialogue with residents there to continue supporting the government’s campaign to crush the insurgency. (FREEMAN)