Two unidentified armed men shot and injured a newly-elected barangay chairman yesterday in remote Sitio Pison, Brgy. Minautok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.

The victim was identified as Fidel Aninon, 60, newly elected as barangay captain of Minautok, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Two days earlier, a policeman was assassinated in neighboring San Carlos City.

Despite his injuries, Aninon survived the attempt on his life, Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, said.

Police investigations show that Aninon was on his way to the residence of his son, when he was waylaid and shot by the two suspects, in the presence of some elementary pupils.

Lirazan said that, while withdrawing from the site, the two suspects, backed up by two others, left a letter at the crime scene, that contained a warning that they will hit more individuals.

Six empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol were recovered at the site.

However, the military and police are still verifying if the suspects are members of the New People’s Army.
The barangay of Minautok was among the beneficiares of the peace and development campaign of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, in tandem with the provincial government, non-government organizations and civil society groups.

Two days earlier, SPO1 Agustin Hulleza Jr., also a resident of Calatrava, was assassinated by two armed suspects riding in tandem on a motorcycle in Brgy. Palampas, San Carlos City.

Supt. Victorino Romanillos, San Carlos police officer-in-charge, yesterday said they have narrowed down to two angles the motive for the killing of Hulleza, including its being insurgency-related.

Two empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol were recovered from the crime scene.

Hulleza, a resident of Calatrava, and a member of the Toboso Police Station, had been assigned to intelligence work.

Senior Inspector Danilo Zuniega,Toboso police chief, said Hulleza, before his death, revealed that he had been reported to be on the NPA watch list for liquidation.*GPB

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