In a tragic shooting incident on January 2, Juvinie Sarona, a 43-year-old lumberyard owner and businessman, became the victim of a brutal attack by 15 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental.
This incident seems to be currently exploited by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte and allegedly pro-China SMNI, which is presently under investigation for fake news dissemination and potential franchise violations.
Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan, Toboso police chief, revealed that the assailants stormed Sarona’s house while he was having dinner with his uncle, Manila Bulletin reported.
In a chilling act, five gunmen targeted Sarona, leaving his uncle unharmed.
The 10 other perpetrators acted as lookouts during the attack, fleeing in an unknown direction after the assault.
Sarona sustained nine fatal bullet wounds and tragically succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
Authorities discovered 25 fired caliber 5.56mm cartridges for an M16 rifle at the crime scene, prompting an immediate investigation.
Police Major Batadlan indicated that insurgency was being considered as a possible motive, citing threats against the victim in the previous year.
Sarona was recognized as a supporter of government programs and had actively assisted the military and police in their campaign against communist rebels.
The New People’s Army-Roselyn Jean Pelle Command (RJPC), an armed group notorious for targeting state agents and civilians, claimed responsibility for the killing.
They alleged that Sarona was the leader of a gun-for-hire group linked to the Sagay 9 massacre, further stating that he headed the Sarona Group supported by the military and police.
“The Sarona Group, led by ringleader Juvie Sarona, has long been reported by the residents as a gun-for-hire group backed by AFP/PNP and is usually employed by big comprador-landlords and fascist politicians. Among the many blood debts of the said mercenary armed group is their involvement in what is now known as Sagay 9 Massacre on October 20, 2018 in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental,” Ka Cecil Estrella, RJPC-NPA spokesperson, said in a statement.
The NPA asserted that they ambushed Sarona and also set fire to a tractor owned by his father.
They claimed to have recovered various firearms during the operation, including an M2 carbine, an M-16 rifle, a .45 (Colt MK IV), a .357 revolver, and a homemade shotgun. The rebel group accused the Sarona Group of involvement in land grabbing.
The murder of Sarona coincided with the guerrilla front’s commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, according to the NPA statement.
In response to the incident, supporters of former President Duterte appear to be exploiting the situation to criticize the current administration and associate the opposition with communism, a tactic known as red-tagging.
A post by SMNI on X, formerly Twitter, has prompted some of its followers to immediately link government personalities like House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the CPP-NPA.
“Siempre, tahimik ang media na allied or supportive sa CPP-NPA,” commented verified X user Will Galang (@willgalang).
“Any reactions from Tamby and his friends,” posted an X user named Michael (@Michael550265), along with a photo of Romualdez and some Makabayan Bloc members.
“See salot talaga yang mga extortionists aka NPA,” another verified X user, Valerie (@vjm0906), commented.
However, the notorious RJPC has been committing acts of terror and murder since Duterte’s time, especially following his election in 2016 when he tried to appease the rebels.
In fact, right after his election in May 2016, Duterte was criticized for promoting the idea of giving top Cabinet positions to CPP-NPA co-founder Jose Maria Simon and other top leaders of the rebel group.
Apart from carrying out killings, this murderous rebel group that operates in North Negros has also been involved in extortion and other terrorist activities.
The Daily Netizen 