The police have identified about 15 members of the New People’s Army as suspects-at-large in the massacre of the Fausto family in Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on June 14.
Himamaylan Police Chief PLt. Col. Reynante Jomocan said on Friday, July 14, they have already identified the suspects who are at-large since they are in the hinterlands.
It has been a month since the incident happened, but the police are still waiting for the family of the Faustos to decide whether they will file a case or issue a waiver so the police can instead file charges against the suspects, he said.
Four members of Fausto family, Emilda, Rolly, Ben, and Raben, were peppered with bullets that led to their death last month in their residence.
Jomocan further said that the suspects were identified after the statements of two witnesses were corroborated.
MEETING WITH FAMILY SET
“We have yet to meet the family of the victims as we had identified the suspects weeks ago,” he said, adding “We are in continuous coordination with (Himamaylan) mayor (Raymund Tongson) as they still have to receive additional assistance.”
Emily, the surviving member of the family, has not yet appeared before the police.
CHR CALLED TO INVESTIGATE
Meanwhile, militant group Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas-Negros (KMP-Negros) staged a protest in front of the Commission on Human Rights-Negros Occidental Office in Bacolod City to call on the agency to lead an independent investigation of the case.
In a statement, KMP-Negros said CHR should conduct an “independent and thorough investigation” of the massacre, as well as of other victims of killings in Negros Island.
“Any ordinary farmer in Brgy. Buenavista in particular and in any areas in Himamaylan and Kabankalan City could be falsely accused of killing the Fausto family as the Himamaylan Police have been doing in the past,” Danilo Tabura, KMP-Negros spokesperson, said in the statement.
The CHR should also provide protection to the farmers and the people who were subjected to abuses perpetrated by the members of the Philippine Army, the statement added.
In response, Jomocan said those claiming to be victim of abuses can file an affidavit and a case against the suspects.
Jomocan assured that the police investigation is facts-based and has witnesses.
“They can file a case through their legal counsel or here in the police station as this is where the jurisdiction of the case is”, he added.*