Village chief, 13 rebels sued for Davao del Sur massacre

From the Sun Star-Davao (Apr 5): Village chief, 13 rebels sued for Davao del Sur massacre

A BARANGAY chair and 13 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) are facing charges before the Davao del Sur Provincial Prosecution Office after the former were found liable for the attack in Barangay Sibayan, Bansalan town on March 8, which killed four policemen and two civilians.

Slain victims were identified as Police Officer 1 (PO1) Rholly Benelayo, PO1 Joey Narvasa and PO1 Saro Mangotara, of the Bansalan Municipal Police Station, PO3 Jaden Mei Rabor, of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) based in the same town, Marlon Lumantas and Orlan Albopera.

 READ: 4 cops killed in rebel ambush in Davao del Sur

Charged with four counts murder, robbery and destruction of government property, and frustrated murder docketed under XI-04-INQ-17C-00087 are Sibayan barangay chieftain Eddie Dicdican and NPA members Brendel Terado, alias Gab, Gelbert Amado, Chargelyn Casquejo, one Soysoy, Kiram, Bordz, Kevin, Laklak and four unidentified rebels.

 Police Regional Office-Davao spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said the barangay chieftain was held liable of the charges filed against him, after the witnesses claimed he was with the communist rebels when the attack happened.

 Soysoy, Laklak and two unidentified rebels were also charged with double murder and frustrated murder docketed under No. XI-04-INV-17C-00085.

The charges were filed by the members of the Special Investigation Task Group Sibayan at the office of prosecutor Katrina Kris Givero on Friday, March 31.

 Police initial investigation showed that around 6:30 a.m. on March 8, the Soco-Davao del Sur received a request to investigate a shooting incident in Sibayan. Rabor and PO3 Allen Arnado, who was injured on the incident, along with the three Bansalan police officers went to the crime scene on board a patrol car but rebels ambushed them along the highway before they could reach to the crime scene.

 Four of the five responding officers were killed on the spot. Only Arnado survived. The latter said there were about 40 armed men who attacked them.

 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2017/04/05/village-chief-13-rebels-sued-davao-del-sur-massacre-535161