NPA admits killing Misamis town councilor

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY , Philippines   – The New People’s Army (NPA) has admitted responsibility in the killing of a town councilor of Misamis Oriental last week.

In a statement issued after Thursday’s ambush, the NPA said its North Central Mindanao Regional Command killed Opol councilor Cecilio Abuhan for his alleged involvement in illegal mining and abuses committed against the residents.

The NPA said everyone in the town knew that Abuhan had allegedly been collecting firearms and organizing an armed group.

The rebels accused the slain official of involvement in various crimes, including the burning of 20 houses in 2004 and 2008, and the deaths of farmers and Lumad leaders Gilbert Paborada and Rolen Langala.

In 2013, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group raided Abuhan’s residence and reportedly confiscated firearms. But the NPA dismissed the raid as drama.

Abuhan was shot dead last Aug. 21 in Barangay Balokbok, where his wife Margilen is the village chief.

Margilen denied that her husband was involved in illegal mining, adding there is no such activity in the town.      – With Ben Serrano