The police maintains that the ambush-slay of a barangay captain and six other civilians on Friday in La Libertad, Oriental Negros, is either politically-motivated or insurgency-related.

La Libertad Mayor Josie Limkaichiong immediately jumped into a conclusion that it had something to do with politics, saying that slain Aya Brgy. Capt. Lydio Baylon, was among her staunch supporters.

Brig. Gen. Gregorio Fajardo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, however, said the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office suspect that the perpetrators are members of the New People's Army.

Fajardo said Baylon was an active supporter of the military in preventing the entry of insurgents to Brgy. Aya, La. "Walang awa na pinatay ang mga civilians (The civilians were ruthlessly killed)", he added. Limkaichiong, in an interview with Bombo Radyo, hinted at her intention in running for congresswoman of the 1st district of Oriental Negros, against Olive Paras, wife of Rep. Jacinto Paras, who is now on his last term.

Rep. Paras, in a separate interview, said Chiong should not be quick to say that it was politically-motivated, as the incident is still being investigated by the police.

Condemning its perpetrators, Paras also said, "It was not the work of normal people. Hopefully, politicians will not resort to this kind of activity."

"Let's wait for the findings of the police," Paras said, and asked the police and the military to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Investigation showed that unidentified gunmen, reportedly wearing fatigue uniforms, opened fire on a government truck carrying residents of barangay Aya, the farthest barangay of La Libertad, about 40 kilometers from the town proper.

The victims were on their way home to the mountain barangay on board the service truck of Barangay Aya, after attending a writing contest in La Libertad town, about 108 kilometers north of Dumaguete.

Killed with Baylon, were forest guard Rudy Maxilom, Dionald Bastillano and four unidentified hitchhikers.

None of the children who took the same truck after the writing contest, were injured.

Recovered by the La Libertad policemen and soldiers, who rushed to the site of the ambush, were empty shells of M-16 and M-14 assault rifles.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, said the slain Baylon, a former militiaman, was an organizer of the Barangay Self-Defense Force in the upland barangays of La Libertad town.

Families of the victims of NPA assassination activities in Guihulngan, Tayasan, Vallehermoso upland areas who recently trooped to the office of Commission on Human Rights in Bacolod City, said Baylon and members of the Barangay Self-Defense Force he had organized, have been targeted for liquidation by rebels.

Eddie Dava, a resident of Isabela town in Negros Occidental who survived the rebel attempt to liquidate him on Feb. 11, confessed that he had been interrogated by rebels on the activities of Baylon.

Governor George Arnaiz said La Libertad is among the towns in Negros Oriental that have been included in the Comelec list as "areas of concern" since 1998, because of intense political rivalries and the presence of insurgents.*GPB/AP

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