Communist rebels execute ‘counter-revolutionary’

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines—Communist rebels killed two people in Davao del Sur this week, justifying one attack as appropriate for a counter-revolutionary.

The latest to be killed was Jun Sal, who was “executed” in Barangay Colonsabac in Matanao, Davao del Sur, on Saturday morning, the New People’s Army’s Mount Alip Operations Command said.

Macario Dilaab, an NPA spokesperson, said they had long targeted Sal for his active role in the government’s anti-communist campaign. He described Sal as an Army intelligence asset.

“He has always been a target of our comrades because of his active affiliation to the military,” Dilaab said in a text message.

He added that the NPA took a .45-caliber pistol from the victim’s dead body.

In Sta. Cruz town, the police said NPA rebels also killed a former comrade on Friday.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, Davao del Sur police chief, said Roldan Quitoa was ambushed while on his way to his father’s farm in Barangay Sinuron around 11 a.m.

Lieutenant Raul Villegas, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, said Quitoa left the NPA in 2008.