CPP/Bayan: State forces refuse to turn over cadaver of unionist to family

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 21, 2021): State forces refuse to turn over cadaver of unionist to family

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It took more than three weeks before the cadaver of Vilma Salabao, a unionist who was among those massacred by the police and 2nd ID on December 17, 2020, was turned over to her family.

The victim was killed in a mango farm at Sitio Malalim, Barangay San Jose, Baras, Rizal along with Carlito Zonio, caretaker and chief security guard of the farm; cousins Jonathan and Niño Alberga, security guards; and Wesley Obmerga. Obmerga was suffering from tuberculosis, while Salabao had cancer. The victims are known as the Baras 5.

The Karapatan-Southern Tagalog said that the cadavers of the victims bore marks of harsh torture.

After the brutal crime, the fascists planted evidences of firearms and explosives to make it appear that the victims were members of the New People’s Army (NPA). The 2nd ID, through Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. first announced that the victims were revolutionary tax collectors of the NPA and were killed after fighting back. After a few weeks, Sec. Eduardo Año of the Department of Interior and Local Government announced that the victims were partisans.

Killing. Elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Camarines Sur killed Aldren Lagdaan Enriquez on January 6 in Barangay Sagrada, Iriga City. The victim was an active member of the Camarines Sur People’s Organization and was accused of being a member of the NPA. Around 30 policemen entered his house. He was shot in cold blood in front of his two young children.

The PNP-Region 5 also killed Eddie Barcoma Belludo, a resident of Sitio Camenorial, Barangay Banquerohan, Legazpi City, on January 11. He was also accused of being an NPA member and was planted with evidences of firearms and explosives.

Harassment. A policeman based in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, filed a trumped up murder charge against Windel Bolinget, chairman of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA). He and 9 other individuals were accused of killing Garito Tiklonay Malibato, a member of Lumad group Karadyawan. Malibato was killed in March 2018 by Alamara paramilitary forces.

Illegal arrest. Joint elements of the police and 201st IBde arrested Ruel Custodio and Ruben Estocado at Zone 3, Barangay Poblacion, Atimonan, Quezon on December 26. The victims are members of the Coco Levy Funds Ibalik Sa Amin who were accused of being NPA members. Evidences of firearms and explosives were likewise planted to justify the arrest. They were not allowed to be visited by their relatives.

Abduction. The 62nd IB has yet to surface farmer Anselma Garde, 31, who was abucted by its soldiers on January 17 at Sitio Batong-Buang, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

On the same day, the military shelled and bombed the mountainous areas of barangays Sandayao, Trinidad, Binobohan, Imelda and Tacpao of the same town. This resulted in the forcible evacuation of around 100 families.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2021/01/21/state-forces-refuse-to-turn-over-cadaver-of-unionist-to-family/