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Tuesday, September 30, 2003
NPA tags military in killing of 4 militants
By Aurea A. Gerundio
DAVAO -- A spokesperson of the communist New People's Army (NPA) condemned the brutal killing of three militant group leaders and a tricycle driver in Compostela Valley and accused the military of being behind the brutal slays.
The Merardo Arce Command of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), said in a press statement that the military had a hand in the kidnapping and death of the four, and called the incident the "latest form of terrorism" perpetrated by government troops.
Marjorie Reynoso, 18, was on her way home on Sept. 19 with Jonathan Benaro, 16, an SK councilor, and Lito Doydoy, 27, a barangay community organizer, when they were abducted near the Hijo Plantation in Apokon, Davao del Norte, a few kilometers away from the PNP's 1101st outpost. Taken along with them was tricycle driver Ramon Regase.
The communist group identified three of the five kidnappers as Capt. Mamaril of the military's Intelligence Security Unit (ISU), 1st Sgt. Roy Telang, and another intelligence unit operative named Adan Marcus.
According to Sanchez, Mamaril is the leader of ISU team operating in Tagum City and Compostela Valley province.
Sanchez alleged that the victims were brought to a safehouse in Trento, where one of the victims, Reynoso, was repeatedly raped.
"These facts will refute Lt. Col. Agane Adriatico's bankrupt and malicious claim that the revolutionary movement is responsible for (their) massacre. Blaming the revolutionary movement for the state's own atrocities has become a standard line by the military," Sanchez stressed.
Sanchez said the movement stands by its principle and policy of upholding human rights and international humanitarian laws.
"This is the time for a broad active resistance against the virtual state of martial rule that is terrorizing the Filipino people. We extend our sympathies to the families of the (victims). We are one with them in earnestly seeking justice for the senseless and brutal deaths of their loved ones," Sanchez said.
The four were found buried in a shallow grave at a banana plantation in Crossing Blanco in the town of Compostela in Compostela Valley last September 23.
They will be laid to rest Tuesday at the Maco Cemetery.
A funeral march will be held around Tagum City starting 10 a.m. followed by a mass at the Maco Church at 1 p.m. Sun.Star Davao
(September 30, 2003 issue)
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