Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also called for justice in the brutal killing of four family members in Himamaylan City’s Barangay Buenavista last week.
“Those guilty must be brought to justice as soon as possible,” Lacson said in a statement over the weekend.
He also empathizes with the remaining family members, saying the authorities will prioritize finding the suspects behind the killings, as he does not have the authority to conduct the investigation.
“I urge our law enforcement authorities to lead an in-depth investigation into this horrible act,” he said.
The couple — 52-year-old Rolly Fausto and 49-year-old Emilda — and their sons, 11-year-old Ben and 15-year-old Raben, sustained fatal gunshot wounds at their residence in Barangay Buenavista’s Sitio Kangkiling on Wednesday night, June 14.
They were laid to rest at Barangay Aguisan Public Cemetery, also in the city, yesterday.
Lacson said the investigation must be expedited as it is already causing tensions between the Philippine Army and the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Such brutality, which threatens to destabilize [the] province and destroy the peace of [its] people, has no place in society,” the governor said.
He urged Negrenses to unite in condemning such violent act.
“The massacre of innocent civilians is an outrage to our morals, our values and our commitment to peace and justice. On behalf of the people of Negros Occidental, I strongly condemn the massacre in Sitio Kangkiling,” he said.
“Together, let us sustain and protect the gains of our collective efforts for a more peaceful and progressive province,” he added.
‘Cooperate in the probe’
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) also condemned the attack.
“Initial reports indicate the incident is part of the communist-terrorist group’s efforts to undermine the gains of the government’s programs to end the local communist armed conflict,” the PRO-6 said in a statement.
“We strongly condemn the senseless acts of violence and terrorism against innocent civilians. The PRO-6 vows to bring the terrorists to justice and will utilize all its resources to effectively neutralize any and all threats to the safety, security and welfare of the people,” it said.
The regional police office also asked Himamaylan City residents to cooperate in the investigation.
Earlier, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Orlando Edralin said they will “spare no effort” to bring the victims to justice.
Shortly after the incident, the NPA accused the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) of allegedly being involved in the killings.
The 303IBde immediately lambasted the NPA, calling their allegations a “pathetic attempt by the insurgents to tarnish the Army’s reputation.”
The 94IB’s mother unit also assured the public that government forces were committed to uncovering the truth behind the murder and in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office director, Colonel Leo Pamittan and several police officers visited the victims’ wake on Friday, June 16.
CHR dispatched investigators
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will also conduct its own independent probe over the massacre, as its regional office has already dispatched its investigators to Himamaylan City.
“At this point, there are already allegations that the incident was insurgency-related, and allegedly linked to the NPA,” CHR said in a statement on Saturday, June 17.
“But there is also an allegation linking it to the Philippine Army. All possible angles will be pursued in the course of CHR’s independent investigation,” it added.
A farmers group claimed that witnesses saw members of the Philippine Army allegedly ransacked the Fausto family’s hut on the night of the incident, as they were accused as NPA supporters.
However, the 303IB denied involvement in the killings.
“Based on the Himamaylan City police, their bodies sustained close-range gunshot wounds allegedly from an M16 rifle. It was their eldest daughter who got information on the killing and was able to report the incident the following day,” the CHR said.
“We hope witnesses also surface towards the resolution of this case and in defense of human rights,” the CHR said.
Neighbors flee due to fear, trauma
Meanwhile, the neighbors of the Fausto family have reportedly fled their homes following the heinous murder.
According to officials of Barangay Buenavista, the families living near the crime scene have temporarily sought shelter elsewhere due to fear and trauma.
Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson, in a radio interview, said several witnesses had already surfaced, but he could not divulge any further details.
Tongson said they are currently focusing on assisting Fausto family’s surviving members until justice is served to them./With reports from PNA / DGB, WDJ