Garcias appeal for witnesses to come out

MARIJO GARCIA (center), widow of Mark Garcia, calls on witnesses to come out and help attain justice for her husband and his nephew Michael Garcia who were laid to rest on May 18, 2019. (Dolly Yasa)

MOISES Padilla, Negros Occ. – The family of the late Mark Garcia and Councilor Michael Garcia appealed to witnesses on May 18, 2019 to come out and help them attain justice for the duo’s deaths.

Mark and Michael were laid to rest noontime Saturday at the family’s mausoleum in Moises Padilla Public cemetery.

In her message at the funeral mass, Marijo Garcia, Mark’s widow, appealed to witnesses to tell the truth.

“Ginapangayo gid namon sa mga tawo nga ato didto sang pag ambush sa amon nga buligan nyo kami nga maka agum hustisya,” Marijo said.

She said that the case will not be resolved if no witnesses will come out and help them identify the suspects.

Mark and Michael were killed after armed suspects ambushed the convoy of mayor-elect Ella Garcia Yulo while campaigning at Hda. Dresden, Brgy. Inolinangan last April 25,2019.

Mark and Michael were considered “heroes” by the locals.

“They sacrificed their lives so that we can be free from tyranny, let us not forget what they did for us,” Marijo said.

The two were afforded 21- gun salutes while two chicks were also placed at their grave, a superstitious act meant to disturb the conscience of the suspects.

Mayor-elect Ella Garcia-Yulo said they will pursue charges against the suspects whom the police earlier arrested.

While two of the suspects were cleared of gunpowder burns, the mayor elect said the result of the ballistic test is not conclusive.

One of those arrested was a town council member.