Negros Occidental police slam NPA attacks vs cop, civilian
Published Dec 10, 2025 01:48 pm
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office condemned the violent attacks against a police officer and a civilian by the New People’s Army in Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Dec. 7.
“Mariin naming kinokondena ang malulupit at walang-awang pag-atakeng ito, laban man sa isang inosenteng sibilyan o sa aming kapulisang tapat na ginagampanan ang kanilang tungkulin,” said Police Col. Dennis Wenceslao, Negros Occidental police director.
(We strongly condemn these attacks against an innocent civilian and police officer performing his solemn duty)
He said that the death of Police Senior Master Sgt. Rommel Aguilar was not just an attack against the PNP but also a big insult to the peaceful community of Calatrava.
Wenceslao vowed to hunt down the perpetrators to give justice to Aguilar who he described to have served the public bravely and wholeheartedly.
“Pararangalan namin ang kanyang sakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng walang-humpay na pagtugis at pagdadala sa hustisya ng bawat armadong salaring responsable sa mga karumal-dumal na krimeng ito,” Wenceslao said.
(We will honor his sacrifice by hunting the perpetrators of this horrible crime)
The police and military have launched intensified pursuit, dragnet, and blocking operations and maximizing all efforts to secure affected communities from them.
“Buong puso ang pagtutok ng Nocppo sa pagpapanumbalik ng kapayapaan at sa pagprotekta sa ating mga pamayanang nasa kabukiran," he added.
(The Nocppo is focusing on maintaining peace and order and protecting the people in the countryside)
The 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company mourned the death of Aguilar.
“We strongly and relentlessly condemn these violent and inhumane attacks against our police personnel,” said Police Lt. Col. Roy Rodrigo Gutierrez, 1st Nocpmfc commander.
“The loss of our comrade and brother in the police service will never be forgotten. We stand firm in our resolve, and we will not cease our pursuit until justice is served," he added.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) mourned the death of Aguilar by flying the national flag at half-mast at their headquarters here.
The NPA admitted killing Aguilar and a 58-year-old civilian who they tagged as a military asset.
Aguilar was found dead in Barangay Laga-an, Calatrava, a few hours after a brief firefight with six unidentified armed men while serving an arrest warrant against a wanted person in Barangay Menchaca, Calatrava.
The civilian was shot dead while he was preparing for Mass in Barangay Dolis, Calatrava.