The victims, who were on board a government-owned truck, were on their way home when suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, opened fire at them, killing seven on the spot and injuring five others in Barangay Manluminsag, La Libertad, at about 4 p.m., according to Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st Infantry Battalion commander.
Four of the seven fatalities were identified as Lyn Joe Baylon, barangay captain of La Libertad, forest guard Rudy Maxilom, Jonard Bastillano and Nonoy Naac-pad. Some of the injured were Ignacia Salimbagot, Joelan Baylon, son of barangay captain Joe Baylon, Evencito Deli-ot and Jolito de la Cruz.
Flores said the slain Baylon was an active supporter of the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in Southern Negros and an organizer of the Barangay Self-Defense Force in the upland barangays of La Libertad town.
Recovered at the ambush site were empty shells of M-16 and M-14 assault rifles.
La Libertad Mayor Jocelyn Lim Kai Chong, in an interview with Bombo Radyo, however, said the ambush could be politically motivated.
Chong admitted that she is running for a congressional seat in the first district of Negros Oriental, against Olive Paras, wife of Rep. Jacinto Paras, who is now on his last term as a member of the House of Representatives.
She said Baylon was among her active leaders in La Libertad.
Gov. George Arnaiz said La Libertad is among the towns in Negros Oriental included in the Comelec’s list of "areas of concern" since 1998 because of intense political rivalries and presence of insurgents.