TACLOBAN CITY - Thousands of motorcycle riders and bicycle enthusiasts from the six provinces in Eastern Visayas gathered to support the call for justice for the victims of summary execution in the bloody Inopacan Massacre Saturday (September 4).
The riders lighted candles and offered prayers for the victims at the Inopacan Massacre Mass Grave Marker at Baybay City Freedom Park.
Local leaders and civilians also condemn the mass execution of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front's (CPP-NPA-NDF) members and innocent civilians who were suspected to be supporters of the government by signing a manifesto seeking justice for the helpless victims, survivors, and their families.
802nd Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Zosimo Oliveros said the event highlights the 15th anniversary of the discovery of a mass grave at Sitio Sapang Daku, Brgy. Caulisihan, Inopacan, Leyte.
"Our call for justice is a continuing effort in order to move on and attain long-lasting peace. After all, the dead cannot cry out for justice, and it is the duty of the living to do so for them. Never again shall the CPP-NPA-NDF trample the peace that the people enjoys," he stressed.
At least 67 skeletal remains of murder victims committed during the infamous CPP-NPA-NDF purging activities in the late 1980s dubbed as “Operation Venereal Disease” were unearthed on August 28, 2006.
Mayor Azucena Mirambel of Inopacan town shared that they have already moved on and had sought development not only for the victims but for the whole town.
She vowed that the communists-terrorists shall never set foot again to perpetuate and sow dread against the civilian populace in their municipality.