Three suspected hitmen of the New People's Army Special Partisan Unit yesterday shot dead a policeman in Brgy. Inayawan, Cauayan, in what the police said could be the start of the revival of rebel assassination activities in Negros Occidental.

The victim, identified as Police Officer 3 Dan Malunes, and a member of the Cauayan Police Station, was gunned down by the suspects who were described by witnesses to be in their 20's, in front of his wife, Arnie, at the public market of Brgy. Inayawan, at about 7: 15 a.m. yesterday.

Initial police investigations show that Malunes sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the head and in different parts of his body, that led to his death. His wife was spared by his assassins, who also took his .45 caliber pistol and wallet containing cash.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday condemned the barbaric killing of Malunes, which he said was done in a treacherous way.

Franco said the assassins immediately fled south.

Malunes was the third policeman killed in assassination activities of the NPA since 2007, police records showed.

Franco admitted of having received information about the revival of rebel assassination activities.

Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara yesterday admitted having received reports that Malunes was linked to robbery hold-up activities in the town, but he said, this turned out to be negative upon validation by the police.

Tabjuara described Malunes as a good member of the Cauayan police force, where he has been assigned for six years now.

Cauayan policemen recovered two empty shells, a deformed slug and a dud bullet of a .45 caliber pistol, as well as two spent shells of a 9mm pistol, from the crime scene

Soldiers of the 61 st Infantry Battalion and 614 th Provincial Mobile Group troopers have joined the Cauayan police in the manhunt for the fleeing suspects.*GPB

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