Charges of multiple murder were filed by the Mabinay police against the five assassins of breakaway faction communist rebel leader Rogelio Magbato, alias Ka Malvar, before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Dumaguete City, Oriental Negros.

Senior Inspector Teodorico Pecardal, Mabinay police chief, yesterday identified the respondents in the multiple murder charges as TJ Michael Nuyco, Eddie Amper and three John Does.

The New People's Army Boy Gatmaitan Command claimed responsibility for the assassination of Magbato in Mabinay, Oriental Negros, on Jan. 26.

Ka Bayani Obrero, Boy Gatmaitan Command spokesman, said Malvar was punished for the alleged rape-slay of a minor, land grabbing, extortion activities and active participation in counter-insurgency campaign of the military.
Malvar sustained gunshot wounds on his left temple and back, the military said.

Alab Katipunan-Negros Occidental spokesman Ben Solilapsi yesterday challenged all victims of the NPA atrocities to come out and denounce what he called as "criminal pseudo revolutionary group".

Solilapsi described the justice system of the CPP-NPA as the "worst" in the world. "They will prosecute first the victim of crimes they can think of, to justify their criminal acts," he added, citing the case of Magbato.

He also said, "We must never be cowed by the terroristic act of the CPP-NPA".

Civilian Volunteers Organization members Rogelio Maylan and Joel Mahusay, who responded to the shooting incident, were also gunned down by three other rebel hitmen serving as the back-up force of the assassins of Malvar, police investigations show.

Malvar was the third RPA leader assassinated by NPA hitmen since 2003. The two other breakaway faction leaders killed in previous years were Arturo Tabara and Daniel Batoy, alias Mokong.

Military intelligence reports said RPA-ABB national commander Carapali Lualhati topped the liquidation list of the New People's Army in Negros island.

Last year, five RPA-ABB guerillas, two Army intelligence operatives, a rebel returnee and an alleged military informant also died in assassinations, responsibility for which was also claimed by the Boy Gatmaitan Command.*GPB

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