Village chief gunned down in Leyte town

TACLOBAN CITY –– A village chief in Hilongos town, Leyte province was shot dead by four alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Thursday afternoon.

Juan Loquias, 43, chair of Barangay San Antonio, was with his father-in-law and other companions to cook shrimp in the village when the attack happened.

The suspects reportedly told the victim’s companions to inform the villagers that it was the NPA who killed the barangay leader.

The local police sought the assistance of the 802nd Infantry Brigade to get Loquias’ body.

It was learned that the NPA had ordered the killing of Loquias to retaliate after the village chief informed the military of the rebel’s presence in the village.

General Lope Dagoy, commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade based in Ormoc City, condemned the killing of Loquias.

“We are calling the people to stand and fight the inhumane, senseless, and brutal actions of this organization (NPA). Do not let this brigands run fear in our community,” said Dagoy in a  press statement./lzb