PNP: Man killed in Camarines Sur shootout was NPA rebel

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine National Police in Camarines Sur said on Friday that Aldren Enriquez, who was killed in a shootout with police operatives in Iriga City, was an identified member of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“There was no red-tagging, they only said it to discredit the government, he was identified [as a member of the NPA],” Police Major Louie de la Peña, chief of community affairs development of Camarines Sur police, said.

But Nida Barcenas, secretary-general of Karapatan Bikol, said the incident was another case of red-tagging and extrajudicial killing.

“He was not an NPA. He was a frontliner in their village. In his counter-affidavit, he said he was on duty when the ambush incident happened,” Barcenas said.

She said Enriquez was serving in a checkpoint in their barangay during the government’s Luzon-wide quarantine last year to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). He was also an active member of Camarines Sur People’s Organization, a partner organization of Karapatan Bikol that handles cases concerning human rights violations.

Enriquez, 41, died in a shootout with police, who came to Barangay Sagrada, Iriga City, armed with an arrest warrant against him at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6.

A report said Enriquez ran towards the back of his house and jumped into the neighboring house, prompting police to chase him.

During the chase, Enriquez allegedly opened fire, and the police operatives retaliated, killing him instantly.

The arrest warrant was issued Dec. 18, 2020 by Judge Maria Clarissa Pacis-Trinidad of the Regional Trial Court Branch 36 in Iriga City for attempted murder.

Staff Sergeant Reylan Gumapad, Iriga police investigator, said Enriquez was involved in an ambush in the city in 2020, where soldiers were reportedly wounded.

Recovered in the scene was a caliber .38 gun with three live ammunition and three fired bullets.

Dela Peña said Enriquez was a member of the Bicol Regional Party Committee.

LZB