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Tuesday, April 03, 2007
2nd mass grave of 'communist purge victims' found
MANILA -- Military and police operatives have exhumed in Leyte at least 13 skeletal remains of civilians who were allegedly executed by the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the 1980s on suspicions that they were deep penetration agents of the government.
This is the second gravesite discovered by elements of the Army's 8th Infantry Division in Leyte since August last year when the troops unearthed 67 skeletal remains from a burial ground in Inopacan town.
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Lieutenant Colonel Mario Lacurong, commander of the Army's 43rd Infantry Battalion, said the newly found gravesite was found in the nearby town of Hilongos, Leyte, particularly in the vicinity of Sitio Mahangin in Barangay San Antonio.
Quoting intelligence information, Lacurong said at least 26 to 28 victims were buried by the rebels in the gravesite. He said digging operations were still ongoing and they were able to account for 13 to 18 victims.
Lacurong said they began the digging last Saturday after the troops were informed about it by rebel returnees and civilians who led them to the gravesite.
The area is about half the size of a basketball court.
Quoting information provided by the rebel returnees and civilians, Lacurong said rebels herded the victims on June 1, 1985. He added that the communist guerillas suspected them of working as agents of the military.
Lacurong said the communist movement tried the victims before its "kangaroo court" and executed and buried them in a common grave. He some of the exhumed skeletal remains were found on top of each other. (VR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (April 3, 2007 issue)
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