A peace rally was staged in Guihulngan, Oriental Negros to condemn atrocities allegedly committed by the New Peoples Army that marked its 38th founding anniversary yesterday.

A press release from the 11 Infantry Battalion of the Army said the participants were San Carlos City, Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, and the municipalities of Vallehermoso, La Libertad, and Guihulngan in Oriental Negros. About 1,500 rallyists on board eleven vehicles started the caravan from Crossing Bagawines, Vallehermoso towards Poblacion Guihulngan in Oriental Negros.

They held a program with Edgar Alcover as the main speaker. Families of the victims killed by NPAs also gave their testimonies, and condemned the NPA for the series of senseless killings in Negros.

They said the victims were innocent of the charges made by the NPA against them. Among those killed were Brgy Capt Lydio Baylon of Aya, La Libertad, Kagawad Jury Bayawa and Nelson Garde of Mani-ak, Guihulngan.

The rally ended with the burning of Communist effigies and the Communist flag, the press release added.*

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