Ex-Army soldier killed by suspected NPA rebels in Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY — Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels gunned down a former Army soldier Sunday morning in Cawayan, Masbate, an Army official said Monday morning.

Captain Marjorie Panesa, public affairs chief of the 9th Infantry Division, identified the victim as Rehuel Suson, 54, a former Army soldier and a security guard of a telecommunication cell site in Cawayan town.

Panesa, in a text message, said Suson was on his motorcycle on his way home when he was waylaid by six communist rebels in Barangay Mahayahay, Cawayan at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

She added Suson was on his way home to Barangay Mactan, Cawayan when he was attacked.

Panesa said Suson bore multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of the body.

Policemen led by Inspector Randy Bachiller of the Cawayan Municipal Police Office immediately responded and recovered Suson’s body.

Investigators from the police are still determining the motive of the killing. But the NPA guerrillas have yet to issue a statement owning to the killing.