Army Warns of Increased Executions by Reds in Bikol

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Cam. Sur (23 November) --  THE ARMY’S 9TH Infantry Division based in this camp warned that communist rebels in Bikol have stepped-up their “liquidation” (summary execution) efforts, particularly on “targets of opportunity,” after  an army sergeant of the 31st Infantry Battalion of the Charlie Company was gunned down by rebels in barangay San Felimon, Ragay, Camarines Sur about 8:00 A.M. on Monday (Nov. 22).

9th Infantry Division operations officer, Col. Leoncio Cirunay, identified the victim as Sgt. Bayani Sabas, 35, who was reportedly assigned at an army detachment in the said locality.

Cirunay said that Sabas was  about to spend a vacation with his family last Nov. 22 when after leaving his detachment and riding a motorcycle together with his wife and 7-month old son, rebels stopped him at barangay San Felimon and shot him at point-blank range with Cal. 45 pistols, hitting him on the head.

Reportedly, 31st Inf. Bat., Charlie Company commander First Lt. Armando Bohol pursued the rebels after the shooting incident.

Meanwhile on Nov. 19, the army also reported that Private First Class Ronnel Galvez, 27, was also shot to death by suspected rebels near his home in Legazpi City at about 11:00 in the evening.

Police autopsy report investigation bared that PFC Galvez was shot at close range by two gunmen; he sustained twenty-nine gunshot wounds from a 90MM and Cal. 45 pistols.

Earlier, Galvez was reportedly warned by his army superiors of being included in a “shoot-to-kill” (STK) list by the rebels.

An “STK list” was recovered by army troopers during an encounter in Goa, Camarines Sur in August this year, with lists of names of active soldiers, policemen, and civilians who were accused of being military informants.

Cirunay said that in 2010 the army has recorded 43 people killed, including six soldiers and eight paramilitary forces (CAFGUs) killed by rebels. (SONNY SALES)