BACOLOD CITY – A witness has identified one of the alleged 15 perpetrators in the brutal killing of four family members in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last week. Police Lt. Col. Reynante Jomocan, Himamaylan police chief, said the witness positively identified one suspect through photos of active members of the New People’s Army (NPA), particularly the Central Negros (CN) 2, presented by police. Jomocan said the witness was hesitant at first because he feared for his safety, but he was encouraged by police to give a statement regarding the incident, considering that he allegedly had an encounter with one of the perpetrators. He said the perpetrators allegedly held and threatened at gunpoint the witness when they asked for the house of the Fausto family. Jomocan said the victims were already sleeping when their house was strafed on the night of June 14 in Sitio Kangkiling, Barangay Buenavista. Killed were Emilda, 49, her husband Rolly, 52, and their two sons aged 11 and 15. Jomocan said that at least 53 fired bullets of 5.56mm caliber were recovered from the crime scene and were subjected to ballistic examination. He said they are consolidating all the necessary documents for the filing of the case. Police have two witnesses who have vital information in the incident. These witnesses have been secured by authorities, while investigation on the massacre is ongoing, according to Jomocan. He said the Fausto family has other family members who are allegedly active NPA members, while others have surrendered to the authorities, according to the Army and based on their intelligence gathering. The NPA has earlier denied their link in the incident and even accused the Army for the killing. The Army denied the accusation, claiming that the NPA is just covering up the truth and wants to tarnish the Army’s reputation in the province.