LAW enforcement units in Davao City exhumed the remains of three individuals that were reportedly killed by the New People's Army (NPA).
The exhumation was conducted on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) along with the 1003rd Brigade, 27th Infantry Battalion, Paquibato Police personnel, Peace 911, and barangay officials.
In a press release, Philippine Army’s 1003rd IB commander Brigadier General Nolasco Mempin identified the recovered bodies as Dandy Mallorca Rivera, Ariel Peletos and Adelio Suganan Ramirez
Mempin said Rivera's remains were recovered in Purok Culape, Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District.
The official said Rivera was an owner of a horse renting business, where some members of the NPA were his customers. However, by the time he asked for the payment, Rivera was accused of theft by the group and was subjected to Kangaroo Court.
River's sister Marycel told the military her brother was missing since 1999 and they had no communication with him since.
"Katong kabayo nga gibaligya kinawat daw niya, pero sa tinood lang akoa to’ng kabayo dili to kinawat, buotan akong manghud. Dili to siya NPA ((They) alleged that the horse that he sold was a stolen horse, but the truth is I am the owner of that horse, it was not stolen, my brother was an honest man. My brother was not an NPA)," she said.
According to the report, Barangay Mapula officials said it was just this year when a concerned citizen who saw the burying of the victim approached them.
The remains of Peletos and Ramirez were recovered in Barangay Panalum in Paquibato. The two were missing since September 2014 and were last seen in Barangay Lasang in the city.
According to reports, they were former supporters of NPA who backed out from the group. The two were also subjected to Kangaroo court.
Lina Peletos, wife of Ariel, confirmed the identity of her husband during the exhumation. While there were no claimants for Ramirez.
Mempin called the killing "inhumane and unlawful."
The Paquibato Police District will file murder suit against perpetrators of the crime. It also encouraged the public to report any sightings of NPA activities in their area.
Assistance from the local government of the concerned areas and Peace 911 will be given to the families.