Six suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed while a former town mayor and 23 others were arrested during military and police operations in Negros Oriental over the weekend.
Among those killed were Reneboy Fat, Demetrio Fat, Dondon Isugan, Constancio Languita, Jun Cubul and Jaime Revilla, all residents of Guihulngan City.
Arrested were former Guilhulngan Mayor Cesar Macalua, two ex-brgy officials of Barangay Poblacion namely Misael Dagat and Alfredo Javier.
The former town executive yielded a cal. 45 and 9mm pistols and ammunitions following his arrest.
The six slain suspects were among the 103 targeted personalities in Guihulngan and the municipalities of Mabinay, La Libertad and Sta. Catalina facing arrest warrant for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
Of the 103 suspected drug personalities, 30 are reportedly New People’s Army (NPA) regular and militia members operating in Brgy Trinidad in the city.
Reports said the suspects were killed after they resisted arrest during the conduct of law enforcement operations.
The military claimed that the NPA operating in Guihulngan City were able to continue their operations with help from big-time drug lords in Negros Oriental and nearby areas.
“The communist terrorists’ illegal activities in the area indicate that the NPA survives with huge help from the illegal drug trade. Big-time drug lords operating in Negros Oriental and nearby areas are being protected by the NPA and other terrorist front organizations,” the military said in a statement.
“This continues to show the real face of the communist organization that actively participates in illegal activities to fund their senseless cause that hamper peace and development in some of the areas of our country,” the military added.