A village chief is believed to have been the target of an ambush by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels Tuesday in Negros Occidental province which killed three civilians and wounded three others.

The families of Rodolfo Salipod, Ena Pata and 14-year old Edmar Sultan, the fatalities in the ambush, were mourning over their respective kin’s tragic death.

The three were killed in an ambush by 30 suspected NPA members while they were riding the service vehicle of Barangay Salamanca at Sitio Mabuhay of Barangay Poblacion in Toboso town, Monday morning.

Rosemarie Sultan, mother of Edmar, said she never expected her son to be one of the victims. She said that her son was just on his way to school when they were ambushed.

Three other passengers who were wounded in the ambush were brought to a hospital. They were identified as Primitivo Lumapay, Eryl Baynosa who is a son of Barangay Salamanca's chairman and 15-year old Ivy Recopelacio. Recopelacio was earlier reported dead but was later found out to have been wounded and recovering in Silay City Provincial Hospital.

Authorities said they believe that Barangay Chairman Eriberto Baynosa was the target of the ambush by the NPA. Investigation show that the suspects may have suspected that Baynosa was also on board the barangay vehicle and would later find our that they were wrong.

Aside from being against the NPA, according to the police, Baynosa has previously threats from the rebel group.

Several pieces of shells for M14 automatic rifle bullets and M203 grenade launcher as well as cigarettes were also recovered from the scene of the incident.

A hot-pursuit operation launched by the police and the Philippine army is still on going.