Albayalde on NPA rebels behind cops’ slay: ‘They don’t respect human rights’

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde has condemned the killing of four police officers by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Oriental, saying the communist rebels have no respect for human rights.

“Alam naman natin mga tao nito [NPA], they don’t follow the law. They don’t respect human rights,” Albayalde told reporters along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Monday when asked about the rebels’ motive behind the killing. 

The PNP chief was referring to four policemen on board three motorcycles who were killed by unidentified gunmen believed to be members of the NPA in Ayungan, Negros Oriental on July 18.

READ: 4 cops dead in NPA ambush in Negros Oriental

Albayalde also bared that the victims were tortured before they were executed by the rebels as per the Scene of the Crime Operatives’ (SOCO) investigation.

Albayalde said before the police officers were shot on their backs, “nakita ng SOCO results, tinali sila, yung kamay nila sa likod at pinagbubugbog ng something that is hard.” /je