Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Monday, June 19, said he was informed verbally by the police that the persons behind the massacre of the Fausto family in Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, have already been identified.
“I am just waiting for the official report from the PNP,” Lacson said.
It seems that there is progress in the determination of the suspects, he added.
Rolly Fausto, his wife Emilda, and their minor sons, Ben and Ruben, were killed in their home on June 14.
The identification of suspects had also been confirmed by the Himamaylan police who withheld details pending the completion of the affidavits of the witnesses.
PCapt. Arturo Margallo Jr., Deputy for Administration of the Himamaylan Police, said that they have already gathered initial information from the witnesses and are waiting for the sworn affidavits from them.
It still depends on the witnesses if they will pursue making sworn affidavits as the complainants are still undecided on whether to file charges against the suspects, Margallo said.
The police have also assured security and confidentiality of the information of the witnesses and urged the public to help them in finding the suspects.
A witness reportedly said 15 armed persons carried out the massacre and were allegedly heard shouting “Mahuhay and NPA” after the shooting.
Commission on Human Rights- Negros Occidental head Vicente Parra said the CHR began its investigation into the massacre in Himamaylan City on Friday, June 16.
Parra said his office had received information that Emilda Fausto is from Brgy. Carol-an, Kabankalan City, and Rolly Fausto is from Tayasan, Negros Oriental.
The CHR will go to Carol-an to investigate why the Faustos migrated to Himamaylan and if they were really “red tagged” for links with the New People’s Army, Parra said.
The Faustos have reportedly been living in Himamaylan for 10 months, he said.
Nothing is certain as they also received information that Rolly was an informant of the Army, Parra added.
CALL FOR HELP
Margallo stood by the initial statement of Emily, the surviving child of Emilda and Rolly, that the family had been living in Brgy. Buenavista for almost 11 years.
Emily has sought the help of the police for the transfer of her family to a safer place in the city proper of Himamaylan, Margallo said.
Emily told him that they will not go back to the area where the massacre happened, he added.
The police is asking government and non-government agencies to help Emily and her family, Margallo added.*