New People’s Army (NPA) | INQUIRER.net file photo
NORZAGARAY, Bulacan—A forest ranger, who was a former Dumagat leader in this town, was killed by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Monday, June 20, the police said Wednesday.
Colonel Charlie Cabradilla, Bulacan police director, identified the victim as Mauro Mudlong, 54, chief forest ranger at Sitio (sub-village) Ipo, Barangay San Mateo in this town.
At least 10 rebels from the Kilusang Narciso Command dragged Mudlong out of his house at 7:30 p.m. and took him to the Consultant Area near the Ipo Dam, where he was killed, investigators said.
Cabradilla said some residents near the dam heard gunshots from the Consultant Area at that time.
Mudlong’s relatives rushed to the Consultant Area, where they found his body.
Police recovered eight empty shells for a.45-caliber pistol, three empty cartridges for a .9mm-caliber, and two deformed slugs of an unknown caliber.
The victim’s relatives identified four suspects through a lineup of photos of wanted rebels in the area.
Mudlong was also a former Indigenous Person Mandatory Representative in Sitio Ipo.