Families of victims of rebel atrocities yesterday joined about 5,000 Negrenses in simultaneous indignation rallies held in the cities of Bacolod and Kabankalan, and in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, as the New People's Army marked its 38th founding anniversary. While CPP spokeperson Gregorio Rosal rallied the New People's Army to further intensify their tactical offensives nationwide against government forces, sons and daughters of civilians and former sympathizers of the rebel movement accused of conniving with the military, took turns yesterday in condemning the series of senseless killings in Negros by the CPP-NPA.

Errol Abayon, 22, son of murdered Rodolfo Abayon, yesterday testified at the Bacolod public plaza, in front of about 1,000 participants of the indignation rally, how his father was shot dead by rebels, in Sicaba, Brgy. 11, Victorias City, and that some of the suspects are his friends, whom they had supported for several years

They professed to be pro-people, yet they are the ones terrorizing those who will no longer support them, Abayon, who survived the assassination attempt on Feb. 19, said.

Rebel returnee Aladin Flores also recounted how he was almost killed by rebels in Escalante City, early this year.

On Tuesday, four rebel hitmen shot dead ex-CAFGU member Francisco Bernaldez in Brgy. Montilla, Moises Padilla, making him the fourth victim of NPA assassination activities in central Negros since the start of the year, military records show.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday said more than 2,500 people who participated the rally held at the Kabankalan City public plaza, also denounced the NPA atrocities committed in southern Negros.

A similar rally was held at the public plaza of Guihulngan in Negros Oriental, also participated in by 1,500 people from the hinterland areas of San Carlos City and Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, and in La Libertad town.

Lt. Col. Jess Manangquil, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, said the families of Aya Brgy. Capt. Lydio Baylon and six other civilians whose ambush-slay was claimed by the Leonardo Panaligan Command, Kagawad Jury Bayawa, and ex-CAFGu member Cristopher Garde, both victims of rebel assassination, also joined the protest action.

The simultaneous rallies yesterday ended with the burning of effigies of the CPP-NPA-NDF leaders.

Alab Katipunan members and Rev. Fr. Fernando Flores, Pastor Leo Tabligan and Imam Omar Betita joined the rally in Bacolod City, while anti-communist leader Jun Alcover spoke at the rally in Guihulngan.

Brig. Gen. Gregorio Fajardo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that while they have troops in known NPA bases, they have not monitored large formation of insurgents. Both the military and police in Negros were placed on red alert status, in connection with the NPA founding anniversary.

The military said it has noted that, in previous years, rebels staged attacks either before, or after their founding anniversary celebration.*GPB

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