Isabela PENRO employee killed

By Liezel Inigo 

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela -- A member of the Provincial Environment Regional Office-Isabela Environment Protection Task Force was found dead inside the task force office here July 5.

The victim was identified as Celso Asuncion, 58, and a member of the Isabela Environment Protection Task Force.

Investigators suspect that the perpetrators of the crime belonged to an “agaw armas (weapon snatching)” syndicate may have been responsible for the killing of Asuncion.

They said the same group, which is reportedly composed of New People’s Army rebels, also accosted five police officers that day.

Philippine National Police PNP Region 2 Director Brig. Gen. Jose Mario Espino has directed Isabela police to alert all its stations to conduct checkpoints for the possible apprehension of the suspects.

“The attack against the members of PNP Isabela and the killing of PENRO employee is a manifestation of the NPA’s crooked principle and ideologies which are contrary to what they are trying to portray to the public as champion of social justice,” Espino said.

Accosted by the group were Cpl. Gaudencio Castillo Jr.  and Cpl. Earl Brian Gannaban , both assigned at Cauayan City police station; SSg Fernando Capillian assigned at Cordon Police station and MSg Julius Baribad  and PCPL Bryan Q. Balisi of Divilacan police station.