A farmer's group leader affiliated with the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers was shot dead yesterday allegedly by members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade in Brgy. Bug-ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental, at about 5 a.m., Fred Caña, of the human rights group Karapatan-Negros, claimed.

The victim was identified as Reynaldo Bucaling, 39, chairman of the Paghidaet sa Kalambuan sa Kambayugo-NFSW.

PO3 Alex Taganile, Toboso police investigator, yesterday said Bucaling sustained four gunshot wounds in the breast, stomach and neck.

Taganile, however, said they cannot ascertain yet if the three gunmen who were wearing bonnets, are RPA-ABB members.

Police investigations show that three armed suspects had inquired from Bucaling, who was about to go to his farm, about Remar and Jessie.

Bucaling was then shot with an M-16 assault rifle by one of the men, without any provocation, Taganile said, citing testimony of the victim's wife, Leonida.

The RPA-ABB, which broke away from the mainstream New People's Army, entered into peace agreement with the government in year 2000.

Taganile said they were also told by Francisco Bucaling, brother of the victim, that his brother who is a farmer, had no affiliation with any groups.

Soldiers of the Philippine Army who responded to the shooting incident ahead of police investigators, endorsed seven spent shells of an M-16 rifle to the Toboso police.

The shooting incident was reported to the Toboso Police Station at past noon of the same day.

Senior Insp. Nestor Tuadles, Toboso police chief, yesterday encouraged witnesses, or Karapatan-Negros members who have any knowledge of the shooting to coordinate with them, in order to unmask the identities of the gunmen.*GPB

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