Front 53 of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in North Cotabato and Bukidnon provinces admitted killing a former comrade who returned to the government’s fold in 1986.

In a statement Wednesday, the NPA said Larry Embac, known as Commander Bartol, was executed for disloyalty to the organization.

Embac, 49, was shot to death by five heavily armed NPA rebels in broad daylight along the national highway in Barangay Labu-ao in President Roxas, North Cotabato on Saturday.

Reports said Embac was executed in the presence of his wife, Melcepet Embac; his 11-year-old son, his nine-year-old daughter, and several neighbors.

Recovered from the execution scene were 14 empty shells from a 9-mm pistol and a .45-caliber pistol.

The NPA accused Embac of being a traitor and an enemy of the Filipino masses.

Embac availed of the government’s “Balik Baril” amnesty program in 1986 where he surrendered several assault rifles that were in his possession as a rebel commander.