Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered an aggressive offensive against the communist rebels tagged as responsible in the killing of three vendors in Palanas town of Masbate.
The victims: Jose Lalaguna, 51; Joey Lalaguna, 30; and Jestoni Lalaguna, 22, were on their motorcycles last August 14 in Barangay Miabas to sell mirrors, floormats, and speakers when they were flagged down by at least 20 suspected NPA rebels.
Reports said the communist rebels dragged the three vendors to a secluded place where they were killed. The victims’ two other companions were able to escape and tell authorities about what happened.
“I have directed the local police to conduct manhunt operations against these NPA rebels who committed this atrocity," Eleazar said.
Eleazar said the police would work closely with the military to make sure that the communist rebels are arrested and brought to justice.
This is the second time that the communist rebels targeted civilians in their attacks in Masbate in the past few months. In June, the rebels killed a college football player and his relative.
“We will closely coordinate our manhunt operations with the military and intensify our presence in the area to ensure the safety of other innocent civilians that the communist rebels may target for attacks,” he said.
He also urged residents to immediately report to authorities if they have information on the presence of NPA rebels in their community to enable government security forces to thwart possible attacks.