PNP points to NPA rebels as behind Himamaylan massacre

By Jennifer P. Rendon

While charges are yet to be filed against the suspects who massacred a family of four, one thing appeared to be certain for the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6: the incident was perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA).

In a press conference Monday (June 19), Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, Western Visayas police chief, claimed that all indications led to the rebels allegedly perpetrating the brutal slays.

The massacre that happened in the hinterland village of Sitio Kangkiling, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on June 14 killed Rolly Fausto, 52;  his wife Emilda, 49; and their sons Ben, 11, and Raben, 15.

Villaflor said that what they so far are forensic evidence like ballistics.

“‘Yung kanilang mga armas na ginamit, ‘Yung mga na-recover na shells are not being normally used by the Army and PNP personnel,” he said.

As to the witnesses, Villaflor said the killing happened in a far-flung area.

“But we’re awaiting witnesses to execute judicial affidavits. But as it is, the forensic evidence that we recovered tells that the incident was perpetrated by the NPAs,” he said.

Villaflor said that the NPAs have been suffering offensive blows from government forces lately.

“Hindi sila makabawi sa uniformed personnel ng PNP, pati na sa AFP, that’s they resorted to other violent acts. Gusto nila maipakita that they are still a force to reckon with,” he said.

The region’s top cop claimed that the NPA wanted to project that they are still armed and have mass-based support.

And one more thing,” the communists don’t look at the family as the basic unit of the society. Wala sa kanila na patayin ‘yung bata, ‘yung matatanda at mga babae,” he said.

“They have the stomach to kill anyone,” Villaflor said.

In a statement over the weekend, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned the massacre of the Fausto family.

The CHR, through its office in Region VI, said it has already dispatched investigators to pursue the truth behind the killings and seek justice for the victims.

“At this point, there are already allegations that the incident was insurgency-related allegedly linked to the New People’s Army,” the statement added.

There were reports that investigators have a witness behind the killing.

The CHR, though, said that there is an allegation linking it to government forces.

“All possible angles will be pursued in the course of CHR’s independent investigation,” it added.