Family of massacre victims did not file charges vs. NPAs

The rebel-perpetrators of a massacre in Himamaylan City that killed four family members did not file any charges.

Thus, P/Col. Leo Pamittan, outgoing Negros Occidental provincial police director, called it the lack of cooperation on the part of Emily Fausto, whose parents and siblings massacred by suspected members of the New People’s Army in Brgy.Buenavista, Himamaylan, was blamed to non filing of murder cases against the suspects.

“Hindi cooperative yong family member,” Pamittan said although he also said the police keep trying to convince her to sign the affidavit complaint.

Couple Roly and Emelda Fausto and their two minor sons, were brutally killed by suspected New People’s Army rebels, based on police investigations, at their house in June 14 last year, at Sitio Kalingkingan, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan.

The police cannot file a case against the suspects, in behalf of the complainant, “without the consent of the family”, Pamittan added.

It was learned that the leader of the suspects turned out to be the father-in-law of Emily, based on the investigations of the Himamaylan police.

Pamittan said the case against the suspects will be strong, if the surviving family member will be the complainant.

If she (Emily> signs the complaint affidavit, we will file the case immediately, Pamittan said.

The Himamaylan police earlier filed grave threats and coercion charges against NPA members, who allegedly threatened a witnesss, according to Vincent Parra, head of the Commission on Human Rights provincial office.

Emily, according Pamittan, had been cooperative before in their investigations of the incident. But now, she is not cooperating with us, he added.

“Ayaw naming i coerce siya… mas lalong hindi siya mag cooperate…,” Pamittan also said.* (NBCG)