BACOLOD CITY – The Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) strongly condemned the brutal killing of a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu), who was shot by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Basyao, Barangay Pinucauan, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental on Wednesday.
The Army identified the victim as Cirilo Paderna, 51, who was assigned at Barangay Maglahos Patrol Base in the town.
Ten unidentified armed men believed to be NPAs allegedly fired their guns at the victim in front of his family.
Authorities recovered from the crime scene three fired bullets of M16 rifle, five empty shells, a fired cartridge, and a slug of .45 caliber pistol, and a slug of .5.56mm caliber.
“Mariin naming kinokondena ang bulok nilang ideolohiya, ang ganitong klaseng karahasan at paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao,” said Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, 62nd IB commander.
The remains of the victim is currently at Vallehermoso Municipal Police Station for autopsy and further investigation.
The Army recalled that four civilians, including a couple were also brutally killed in the same manner by alleged NPAs in May this year at Sitio Agit, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulgan City.