THE Armando Sumayang Jr. Command of the New People's Army (NPA) took responsibility for the death of a member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), who was shot by six armed men in Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental Tuesday morning, February 19.

Police identified the fatality as Jonybert Sabico, 40, of Barangay Tampalon.

The rebel group, in a press statement, said Sabico was an active member of the RPA-ABB based in southern Negros and a military intelligence asset.

The group said they meted punishment on Sabico as he was allegedly involved in criminal activities such as hold-up and illegal drugs.

He was also an alleged hitman of the RPA and killer of a peasant leader in the said city, the group said.

He was also reportedly involved in gambling in Barangay Tampalon, added the group.

The group was able to seize from the victim a .45 caliber pistol, a magazine loaded with 10 bullets, and a cellular phone.

Superintendent Jonel Guadalupe, city police chief, said the victim was driving a motorcycle on his way home at 7:20 a.m. when he was ambushed.

He sent his children to school prior to the incident.

The assailants blocked Sabico way and fired at him several times then fled on foot.

Sabico was probably monitored by the gunmen. He was really the target, the city police chief said.

Guadalupe said the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

Police recovered from the scene two slugs of undetermined firearm and 14 fired cartridges of .45 caliber.

The police are also checking if the victim has an arrest warrant. He has not received any threat previously.