A LABORER was shot to death by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) at MMY Village, Barangay Buenavista Proper in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental around 10 a.m., Monday.
Chief Inspector Antonio Benitez, chief of Himamaylan City Police Station, identified the fatality as Arman Matutina, 48, of Sitio Ruiz, Barangay Libacao.
Matutina was buying cigarettes from a sari-sari store when four unidentified men fired at him. He succumbed to head injuries.
The victim was on his way to the gymnasium to accompany a friend in a public hearing regarding a conflict in the land, where he was working.
Benitez said residents saw 30 persons allegedly carrying long firearms came out of the sugarcane field when the gunmen escaped towards the said direction.
Recovered from the scene were a letter with a note: “Rebolusyonaryong Korte sang Pumuluyo from Larangan Gerilya Negros,” 10 fired cartridges, six slugs and a live cartridge of .45 caliber pistol, bag and wallet containing an undetermined amount of cash.
Benitez said they have yet to confirm if the rebels indeed committed the crime.
Matutina had received threats regarding his work based on the statement of his wife.
Murder charges will be filed against the assailants.
In Murcia town, Agusto Dulman, 49, of Purok Tuburan Barangay Minoyan, was gunned down by Jenifer Solis, 40, using an improvised 12-gauge shotgun Monday due to land conflict.
Dulman sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at a hospital. (GYM)