BACOLOD CITY – The local police has tagged the Central Negros 2 (CN 2) of the New People’s Army (NPA) as the suspects behind the massacre of a couple and their two minor sons in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last week.
LOCAL officials, police, and the Philippine Army led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (fourth from right) hold a press conference at Nature’s Village in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, June 22, to discuss updates on the brutal killing of the Fausto family in Himamaylan City last week. (Glazyl Masculino) Police Lt. Col. Reynante Jomocan, Himamaylan police chief, said during a press briefing on Thursday, June 22, that the Fausto family was sanctioned by the NPA after learning that the head of the family was supporting the Army’s anti-insurgency campaign. At least 15 members of CN 2 were linked in the death of Emilda, 49, her husband Rolly, 52, and their two sons aged 11 and 15. The Fausto family was already sleeping when their house was strafed by armed men in Sitio Kangkiling, Barangay Buenavista on the night of June 14. Jomocan said the perpetrators were also residents of Barangay Buenavista, based on the testimonies of the witnesses. These two witnesses are now under the custody of the police for safekeeping, according to Jomocan. Police Col. Leo Pamittan, Negros Occidental police director, revealed during the press briefing that one of the perpetrators identified as a certain Fernando Hermino, an alleged squad leader of CN 2, and his group were behind the massacre, based on the affidavit executed by the witnesses. He, however, refused to elaborate further, pending the investigation. Jomocan said that Hermino was allegedly the one obstructing NPA rebels who would want to return to the fold of the law. Jomocan said the Fausto family has many relatives who are allegedly active NPA rebels, and since last year, Rolly started helping the Army encourage more NPA rebels to surrender. “Kung mag traidor ka, patyon ka (If you go against them (NPA), you will be killed),” he added. With this incident, Jomocan said the NPA wanted to show their presence and tell the people to never follow the actions of former rebels who have surrendered and supported the government. The incident was earlier denied by the NPA, and instead put the blame on the local Army, who also debunked the allegation. In a statement, the Army 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said that this significant breakthrough is not only a relief to the grieving families of the victims but also to the 3rd ID, adding that the troops had been unjustly accused by the NPA and its allied groups. The 3rd ID said that the police investigation is founded upon credible witness accounts and concrete evidence. Jomocan presented the facts of the case and update on the investigation during a press conference at Nature’s Village in Talisay City on Thursday. Also present were Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, commander of the Army 94th Infantry Battalion, Col. Nhel Richard Patricio, officer-in-charge of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, chairperson of Joint Focus Legal Action Team for Region 6 and spokesperson of Regional Task Force 6 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF6-ELCAC), and Barangay Buenavista Kagawad Remegio Tuazon.