Former Militiaman Killed by Suspected NPA Rebels in Masbate

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – A former militiaman was shot and killed by suspected NPA rebels in Masbate early dawn yesterday (Jul 31), a military report said.

LtCol Anthony Purugganan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Battalion, said that Eliacer Madrilejos,29, a former militiaman and a father of four young children, was gunned down by suspected NPA rebels while on his way to buy bread in a local bakery in Aroroy town at around 1:00am.

“Madrilejos was on his way to buy ‘pandesal’ (bread) when he was blocked by two armed men. He was shot with a Cal .45 pistol at point-blank range,” said Purugganan.

Madrilejos died instantly after being hit by two bullets in his head. Responding policemen found spent casings of a Cal .45 pistol in the crime scene.

Che Madrilejos, wife of the victim claimed that her husband received death threats from unknown people a few days ago. She likewise said her husband used to be an NPA member himself before serving the Philippine Army as a CAFGU member.

Colonel Leoncio Cirunay, Commander of the 22nd Infantry Battalion which administers the CAFGU personnel in the Bicol Region, said that the NPA are the usual suspects in these killings of former and active CAFGU members.

Cirunay cited that NPA rebels owned up the killing of Imelda Madrilejos, the victim’s relative, who was killed by the terrorist rebels on May 24, 2010.

“They could not deny that they are the primary proponents of the extra-judicial killings here in the Bicol Region. They want to sow fear among the people in order to control them,” said Cirunay.

Army records show that the CPP-NPA-NDF’s armed members have killed 1 Army soldier, 8 active CAFGU members, 5 plain civilians and 2 former militiamen in 2010.