Army Brig Gen. Gregorio Fajardo yesterday said the confession of the New People's Army that they were behind the recent ambush-slay of seven civilians in Negros Oriental, shows that, "as terrorists, they (insurgents) have no qualms in admitting the killings".

"It helps us to put a period to the question of who did the brutal murder of the victims," Fajardo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said. The New People's Army Leonardo Panaligan Command had claimed responsibility for the ambush-slay of Brgy. Capt. Lydio Baylon and six others, on March 9 in La Libertad, Negros Oriental.

Ka JB Regalado, spokesman of the Leonardo Panaligan Command, in a statement, admitted that Baylon, being a leader of armed goons, had been a target of their liquidation for crimes he committed against the people.

Fajardo called the people of Negros island to condemn the CPP-NPA who professed to be the " protector of the people", but in reality, are "butchers of civilians".

Baylon, a former militiaman-turned village chief of Brgy. Aya in La Libertad, Negros Oriental, was among the supporters of the military in their campaign against insurgents in Negros Oriental.

Regalado, in a statement distributed to local media outlets, alleged that Baylon was responsible for killing innocent civilians while he was a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit, torture of suspected NPA members, arson, stealing of animals and an active barangay intelligence network member.

Five other people were injured in the ambush, police said.

Early this month, the Leonardo Panaligan Command also claimed responsibility in the summary execution of three civilians identified as Rubio Deniega, Nelson Garde and ex-CAFGU member Rudy Azuncion whom have committed "blood debts" against the people.

Fajardo said they will pursue the rebel group to give justice to the victims. Military records show the Leonardo Panaligan Command was responsible for the assassination of more than 20 people in central Negros since 2002.*

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