NPAs own slay of Surigao mayor

BUTUAN CITY — CPP-NPA-NDF spokesperson for the Northern Mindanao Front Ka Iwag admitted yesterday in a press statement sent to Bombo Radyo Butuan that the brutal slay of Taganaan, Surigao del Norte Mayor Victor Elipe was the New People’s Army’s doing.

Ka Iwag claimed Elipe was meted the death penalty by the NPA "court" last December 2000 but Elipe was only executed last Wednesday evening in a Christmas party in Barangay Azucena, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte.

Ka Iwag said that the communist guerillas told Elipe about the decision of their court but gave Elipe a chance to renew his ways.

"But Elipe continued to commit sins against people of Tagana-an," Ka Iwag said.

The New People’s Army likened Elipe to his political bosses as "fascist" and "enemy of the people" who use Filipino votes for their "own benefits and personal interests."

Last Dec. 18 at about 11:40 a.m., four young men armed with caliber .45 pistols shot at close range the 57-year-old mayor while attending a Christmas party, Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Director Ricky Naz Nerbez said.

Elipe sustained four gunshot wounds — three hit the back portion of his head and one at the back piercing through his chest. Elipe was immediately brought to the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City but attending physicians declared him dead 15 minutes after arrival.

Wounded by stray bullets were Sangguniang Bayan member Alejandro Jusain and Barangay Kagawad Rufo Casundo.

After shooting Elipe, the four suspects fled towards the remote public cemetery after engaging responding Tagana-an police headed by SPO3 Graciano Betantos Rivera in an exchange of gunfire.

Meanwhile, 20th IB Philippine Army commanding officer, Col. Manuel Ochoterina told The STAR that more NPA attacks are expected in different parts in Caraga region to drum up propaganda of the NPA’s 26th anniversary on Dec. 26. — Ben Serrano