Villagers hold indignation rally against NPA killing

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines  â€” A group of hinterland residents, led by officials of Barangay Tayak in Siaton town of Negros Oriental on Wednesday strongly condemned the NPA's ambush-slay of a farmer late last week.

On Wednesday morning, five days after the killing, around 50 people attended the funeral Mass for the slain farmer, Narciso Bantoto, Jr. at the Sibulan parish church before they proceeded to Dauin town where he was laid to rest at a public cemetery by noontime.

The protesters, calling for an end to the insurgency problem, carried placards demanding for peace and development and condemning the underground movement.

The 36-year-old Bantoto, married and a resident of Sitio Salingkubong in Barangay Tayak, was killed in the presence of his family by at least two unidentified men at about 9:30 p.m. on January 17, while he and his family were on their way to a benefit dance at Sitio Mainit.

Philippine Army sources said the victim was shot five times while his wife, three children and a niece were spared by the perpetrators, who reportedly identified themselves as NPA members and said they were only after Bantoto for "crimes" against the organization.

Crisabel, the victim's wife, told The Freeman that the assailants shoved her and the children away and, without provocation, shot Bantoto several times despite their please to stop.

Military authorities confirmed they were able to retrieve a piece of paper signed by a "fictitious" name claiming to be the NPA and giving reasons on why Bantoto was executed.

Crisabel said the perpetrators' faces were not covered but she could not identify them because it was dark when the shooting happened. She also denied having any knowledge of her husband having any enemies but admitted his death could be due to his leaving the NPA and returning to mainstream life.

Bantoto was reportedly a member of the Yunit Militia (mass base) of the NPA until he left on July last year. Army officials said most likely he was killed as he was accused of being an informant of the military.

Tayak Barangay Chairman Ricardo Makatungtong expressed sadness over the death of Bantoto, noting the fate that befell him after having "served" in the underground movement for some time. He said that his village was no longer a mass base of NPA rebels and supporters like in the past.

Many residents there have already returned to the folds of the law but he believed that sometimes, armed rebel groups have been regularly passing through his village. He called on the people to unite and openly reject the insurgency movement and instead support the government's program for peace and development.

Makatungtong said this is not the first time that a former NPA supporter was executed in Tayak. He disclosed that a few years back, a member of  the Lupong Tagapamayapa was also killed in the presence of other barangay officials in Tayak.

An Army official added the two suspects who shot dead Bantoto could be members of the NPA's liquidation squad, Special Partisan Unit (SPARU). (FREEMAN)