Ifugao folks hold rally vs NPA for executing bocap

TINOC, Ifugao – Officials and residents here held an indignation rally  against the New People’s Army claiming three members of the rebel group executed former barangay chief Joseph Calabson, 47 in front of his wife in their house in Barangay Tukukan afternoon of March 2.  

Lt. Melvin Salvador, Tinoc deputy chief of police told a radio interview rallyists, who included municipal employees, walked from the Tukukan main road to the municipal hall holding placards denouncing the NPA for the killing and demanding justice for Calabson.

Salvador said rallyists also burned an NPA effigy.

The NPA guerillas, after the killing reportedly left four copies of a letter from the Nona Del Rosario Command of NPA-Ifugao admitting the killing, saying Calabson was an intelligence asset of the military and

“traitor to the country.”

Maya Calabson, wife of the victim told police one of the suspects who was wearing eyeglasses shot her husband in the forehead first.

She said another man, clad all black, fired at her husband several times even when he was already lying on the ground.

Police investigation bared the victim was with his wife Maya as they visited the compound where their house was being constructed around11 a.m. on March 2.

Maya told police investigators her husband even greeted his assailants with one of them introducing himself as Francis.

It was while they were talking to Calabso when the men put down their backpacks, pulled out their guns and shot the victim in the forehead.

One of them stood over the slumped Calabso and fired at him to make sure he was dead.

Maya said her husband’s killers walked away after the shooting leaving the letters of the NPA command which is operating in Ifugao. 

Responding police got the letters accusing the victim of providing vital information to government forces and “harboring” Philippine Army soldiers in his house.

Diana Domingo, sister in law of the victim told police one of the killers pointed his gun on her forehead when they met her at the doorway of their way out.

The victim was earlier rushed to the Lutheran Hospital in Buguias, Benguet but he was declared dead on arrival.

The victim was laid to rest on March 4.