Kalinaw News: Thousands of Riders “Cry for Justice”

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 7, 2021): Thousands of Riders “Cry for Justice”



CAMP DOWNES, ORMOC CITY – Thousands of motorcycle riders and bikers from the six provinces in Eastern Visayas gathered to support the call for justice for the victims of summary execution in the bloody Inopacan Massacre Saturday (September 4).

The event highlights the 15th anniversary of the discovery of a mass grave at Sitio Sapang Daku, Brgy. Caulisihan, Inopacan, Leyte.

At least 67 skeletal remains of murder victims committed during the infamous Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front’s (CPP-NPA-NDF) purging activities in the late 1980s dubbed as “Operation Venereal Disease” were unearthed on August 28, 2006.

The riders who came from provinces of Northern Samar, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte lighted candles, offered prayers, and signed the manifesto that calls for the condemnation and justice for the victims at the Inopacan Massacre Mass Grave Marker at Baybay City Freedom Park. Health protocols were strictly observed to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the activity.

Local leaders and civilians also condemn the mass execution of the CPP-NPA-NDF members and innocent civilians who were suspected to be supporters of the government by signing a manifesto seeking for justice for the helpless victims, survivors and their families.

Mayor Azucena Mirambel of Inopacan said that, they have moved on and had seek development not only for the victims but for the whole town of Inopacan. She also expressed her heart felt gratitude for the Provincial government and the 802nd Brigade for the support of the activities commemorating all lost innocent souls that perished due to the atrocities of the CPP-NPA-NDF. She vowed that the CPP-NPA-NDF shall never again set foot to perpetuate and sow dread amidst the civilian populace.

Governor Leopoldo Dominico “Mic” Petilla, also condemns the CPP-NPA-NDF for the unlawful and frightful Inopacan Massacre. He expressed that no amount of money could replace the lost lives of our people in that tragic incident. He also stressed that the memories of those who died shall forever serve as a unifying factor for all the Leyteños to end violence brought by the Communist Armed Conflict.

802nd Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Zosimo A. Oliveros said that “Over a thousand bikers and riders who participated serve as messengers who delivered our single message of calling for justice and condemnation. Further, our call for justice is a continuing effort in order to move on and attain the long-lasting peace. After all, the dead cannot cry out for justice and it is the duty of the living to do so for them. Never again shall the CPP-NPA-NDF trample the peace that the people enjoys.”

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

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