Cops validating ambush suspects

From the Visyan Daily Star (Jan 31): Cops validating ambush suspects

The police are now validating the names that cropped up in their investigation as the suspects in the “massacre” of civilians in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Sunday.

Senior Supt. Celestino Guara, caretaker of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, yesterday said they have the names of suspected New People’s Army rebels, including their three or four local fighters who served as guides, based on intelligence reports and accounts of civilians.

Eight civilians and a police officer were killed, while 12 others were injured in the ambush, allegedly perpetrated by about 15 to communist rebels. The NPA, however, has not issued any statement, in connection with the incident, so far.

Guara said they hope to file multiple murder and attempted murder charges against the suspects next week.

Of the 173 spent shells recovered at the ambush site by the police, 37 of them belong to an AK-47 assault rifle, 103 for an M-16 armalite rifle and the rest from a .45 caliber pistol and other high-powered firearms, police records show.

Investigators of the Commission on Human Rights in Iloilo are expected to start their independent probe today in La Castellana, to verify the existence of human rights violations and undertake documentation, in preparation for the extension of assistance to the families of the victims, CHR provincial chief Romeo Baldevarona said.

Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista vowed to go after NPA fighters responsible for the ambush, but also reiterated the military and government’s call for the communist rebels to abandon the armed struggle.

Bautista, former Western Visayas Army commander, said the military will continue to offer the rebels “peaceful means” to resolve the armed conflict, despite the incident.

Bautista also said people should respond to the rebels’ claim that the revolution they are waging is for the people.

After all, they sayit is the will of the people, he added.

Col. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday assured the people of La Castellana and neighboring areas that they will conduct pursuit operations against the fleeing suspects, in accordance of the Rules of Engagement.

Task Force La Castellana, which is composed of soldiers of the 1st Scout Ranger and 11th Infantry Battalions, as well as 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company, has been tasked to run after the suspects.

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, challenged people’s organizations claiming to be advocates of human rights, to denounce the senseless killings by the NPA. It seems there is a “deafening silence” from them, Lactao added.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, who supervises the internal security operations in Negros and Panay islands, said “This inhuman act of the NPA has caused the death of innocent civilians and it is unacceptable”.

“Their (NPA) desire to show that they are still a force here in the region at any cost caused more harm than good,” Mabanta added.

La Castellana Mayor Alberto Nicor, however, described the ambush-massacre as an “isolated incident”, and he also urged the continued vigilance of the people.

Guara said an Army detachment will be placed in Brgy. Puso, La Castellana, to address the security needs of the people, traumatized by the incident.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/January/31/topstory3.htm