‘Reds’ kill civilian in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A villager was shot dead by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Huebesan, Barangay Marcelo in Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Friday.

Renato Estrebello, 43, was forcibly taken and shot by armed men who introduced themselves as soldiers, Lt. Col. Jay Javines, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, said, citing initial reports.

He said communist rebels wanted to discredit the Philippine Army by posing as military personnel.

On Sunday last week, livestock buyer Rodel Nobleza was gunned down, also by suspected NPA rebels, in Sitio Kamao, Barangay Marcelo in the same town.