Did the battle of opposing camps within the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade lead to the death of one and the wounding of another in Barangay Tortosa, Manapla, 3 p.m. Saturday?

According to the faction led by Nilo de la Cruz, Joe Marie Solibio, 32, was killed, and Silverio Sernal, 46, was injured when they were fired upon by rebels belonging to the Carapali Lualhati group. Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, Negros Occidental provincial commander, said the group of Lualhati were still investigating the incident as of press time.

Sernal said he and Solibio were witnesses to the alleged harassment committed by the group of Lualhati in EB Magalona during the May elections and were aligned with the forces of de la Cruz. Sernal, who was hit by a bullet on the right hand, said he could not go to the police to complain since the faction of Lualhati is close to them. However, he said he wants justice for what happened to him and Solibio.

He said they are both from Barangay Bata, Bacolod, and were among the RPA forces ordered by Lualhati in May to participate in harassment activities in EB Magalona during election day.

Sernal also said he and Solibio had been with rebels associated with Lualhati in Manapla for five days. He said suddenly on Saturday the pro-Lualhati rebels gunned down Solibio with an armalite and he was hit on the right hand but was able to run away from the rebels who were shooting at him, Sernal said.

A source from the camp of Lualhati on the other hand said the two were former RPA-ABB members, and that Salibio had been discharged from their group for alleged criminal activities.*CPG

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