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Monday, July 21, 2008
NPA mass grave uncovered in Negros Oriental
DUMAGUETE CITY -- Government troops discovered a mass grave of alleged victims of "purging operations" of the New People's Army (NPA) inside a cave in Barangay Bucalan, Canlaon, Negros Oriental.
Lieutenant Colonel Franco Nemesio Gacal, commanding officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion, said the skeletal remains belonged to four persons reportedly among a dozen victims who were summarily executed by the NPA rebels for their refusal to cooperate with the rebel movement in the early 1990's.
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The remains were discovered after barangay officials told soldiers deployed in the area of the existence of the mass grave, Gacal said.
A team of 11th Infantry Battalion's Alpha Company soldiers led by First Lieutenant Noel Abella, in coordination with Barangay council members Irenea Canete and Eladia Jacosalem, led the retrieval of the skeletal remains.
The authorities are now identifying the identities of the remains, said Gacal.
Troops who scoured the inner portion of the cave also recovered personal belongings such as short pants, shoes and a wallet.
Initial investigation showed that the victims were taken, killed and buried by NPA rebels in the cave.
The NPA allegedly conducted various purging operations in the later part of 1980's and early part of 1990's under its Operations "Missing Link," "Ahos" and "Zombie."
According to Gacal, the activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), through its armed wing NPA, aimed to identify suspected infiltrators or informers of the government forces among their ranks.
In previous months, Gacal said the 61st Infantry Battalion also found a mass grave in Santa Catalina town, southern part of Negros Oriental.
He added that the skeletal remains and personal belongings were turned over to the Canlaon City Police Station for forensic examinations. (VLC/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (July 21, 2008 issue)
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