BACOLOD City – The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Western Visayas dismissed the “baseless and malicious accusations” against its objectivity in the conduct of the investigation on the Himamaylan City massacre in Negros Occidental, saying “facts indicate categorically” that the New People’s Army (NPA) was behind the killings.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) headed by Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor responded to the claims of UnyonngManggagawasaAgrikultura spokesperson Butch Lozande in a television interview where he asserted the “perceived inability of the police to investigate objectively.”
“His baseless accusations and hearsay statements during his interview undermined the effort and hard work of our police in Negros Occidental,” according to the PRO-6.
On June 14, couple Rolly and EmildaFausto and their two minor sons were gunned down in their house in SitioKangkiling, Barangay Buenavista.
The elder Fausto was believed to have been the target of the rebels for facilitating the surrender of his relatives who were members of the NPA.
About 15 armed men were suspected to have perpetrated the killing, and more than 50 bullet shells were recovered from the scene, police investigation showed.
In the statement, the PRO-6 called out Lozande for “his malicious imputation of alleged double standards in the delivery of justice. (He) is very much mistaken in his perception of the PRO-6.”
Responding to the claim that the PNP “readily threw the ball at the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA,” the PRO-6 said, “The investigation into the incident is based on the accounts of witnesses and facts.”
“The facts indicate categorically that members of the NPA terrorist group committed the killings,” adding that the “PRO-6 will utilize all its efforts and resources to bring the perpetrators to justice.” (PNA)/PN
