NPA owns up to killing of village councilman in Agusan del Norte

BUTUAN CITY — A newly elected village councilman in Cabadbaran City, in Agusan del Norte province, who was also an active militiaman, was gunned down by suspected New People’s Army hitmen while watching an event during a patronal fiesta celebration on Wednesday.

Edgar Rosal Panisan, 40, councilor of Barangay Mahaba, was sitting at the center of the covered court during a presentation when attacked by suspected members of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 21C under the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, according to Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas, spokesperson of the 402nd Infantry Brigade based in Bancasi village on Thursday.

He died from a multiple bullet wounds during the attack, that triggered panic among the crowd.

The NPA had owned up to Panisan’s killing, saying he was meted the death penalty for his counter-revolutionary activities.

“He was responsible in the psychological war to the broad masses and his role for the turn-over of three former NPAs to the police,” the NPA said in a statement.

Brig. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the killing of Panisan was “plain murder and an attack against the people of Barangay Mahaba.”

“The victim was a duly elected official and was serving well his constituents. The NPA should stop this senseless killing and adhere to the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” Gacal said.

“We strongly condemn the communist terrorists. These terroristic and criminal acts are their treacherous way to show their unreasonable cause. An honorable local official being number one in the latest barangay council election is a manifestation that indeed Kagawad Panisa is loved by the people.. We will ensure that justice will be served,” said Lt. Col. Gleen Joy Aynera, commanding officer of the 29th Infantry Battalion.