THE Ilog police confirmed that around 12 suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) attacked and killed a farmer around 6:30. a.m. of July 2 in Sitio Indakpan, Barangay Canlamay, Ilog, Negros Occidental.
The victim was identified as Ricky Castro, 40, resident of Barangay Canlamay.
Police Major Norberto Barniso, Ilog chief of police, said the victim just arrived at the rice field when about 12 unidentified armed men arrived and shot the victim several times.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds on different parts of his body, while the armed men fled toward the mountain.
Barniso said based on statements gathered from some other farmers, the assailants, armed with long firearms, introduced themselves as members of the NPA.
Barniso said the NPA claimed the victim is an asset of the military and was allegedly involved in various crimes in the area.
But Barniso said that based on the review of police and barangay records, it indicated that the victim has no criminal records or was involved in any crime in the said locality.
Recovered from the crime scene were three fired cartridge of 5.56 mm.