A former ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army in southern Negros Oriental was gunned down allegedly by his former colleagues in the underground movement in Sta. Catalina town, 7 p.m. Thursday.

Col. Marion Sison, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Siaton, Negros Oriental, identified the fatality as Elmo Taburada, of Sitio Avocado, Brgy. Talalac, Sta. Catalina town, who sustained three gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

Investigation shows that Taburada was at a sari-sari store near his house at around 7 p.m. Thursday when three men came up and shot him at close range, with .45 caliber pistols, Sison said.

He added that a note left behind by the suspects accused Taburada of helping the Army in its anti-insurgency campaign, turning over a firearm to authorities during his surrender, and encouraging other rebels to surrender.

Taburada was the former vice commander of the Sentro de Gravidad Platoon of the NPA's Komiteng Rehiyon Sentral Bisayas-Southeastern Front. He surrendered to the Philippine Army in the first quarter this year, brought with him an M-16 armalite rifle, and had since then led a normal life after being reunited with his family in Avocado, Sison added.

The Army condemned Taburada's death, saying the attack was an indication that the government is succeeding in its anti-insurgency campaign, called Oplan Bayanihan, Sison said. “The attack was a desperate move by the NPA who continue to threaten former rebels who have left the organization and also instill fear among the citizenry,” he added.

He also said that after Taburada's burial, the 79th IB will lead an indignation rally in Avocado and dialog with residents to continue supporting the government's campaign to crush the insurgency problem.*JFP

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