Ex-soldier killed by suspected NPA rebels in Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army 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 board his motorcycle on his way home when he was waylaid by six communist rebels in Barangay (village) 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. The NPA guerrillas have not issued a statement admitting they killed Suson. SFM/AC