Army uncovers 'mass grave'
Remains of suspected 'salvaged' victims of communist terrorists were uncovered in a site now tagged by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the region's "mass grave."
The local terrorists, the AFP said, belong to the New People's Army (NPA) with the grave site located in Sitio Bangko, Sipalay, Negros Occidental. The discovery came after a government operation conducted by the Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Batallion, 3rd Infantry Division. Ground commander is Negros 302nd Infantry Brigade Colonel Cesar Yano.
In an AFP news release sent to The News Today (TNT), exhumed by the Army group were two skeletal remains of yet to be identified victims. A review of missing and abducted locals is underway alongside validation of civilian reports on villages forcibly taken and tortured by the NPAs.
"The continued disappearances of these innocent victims were ultimately and consummately perpetrated by the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – NPA- National Democratic Front (NDF)," the news release went. "And the Filipino masses with the relatives of the victims are appealing to groups like Bayan, Gabriela, Anak Pawis and the KMP to help us condemn the atrocities and all human rights violations consummated and committed by the terrorists CPP-NPA-NDF."
Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the AFP's 3rd Civil Relations Group assured though of continued response and assistance to the victims and the community.
"The AFP in Region 6 in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) will always continue our response to facilitate and assist the victim of the CPP/NPA/NDF for the stable peace and order situation of the country. All these, so we may help maintain an environment of progress and development for our countrymen," Captain Marquez said.