AFP says grave of 3 persons executed by NPA found in Bukidnon

Locals help dig out remains of three persons whom the military said had been executed by communist rebels. PHOTO FROM EASTMINCOM

MANILA, Philippines — The military said soldiers found the burial site of three captives of the New People’s Army (NPA) who were allegedly executed by the rebels.

The Army’s 10th Infantry Division led the exhumation of the remains of retired policeman Joel Rey Miqu, tribal leader Dionisio Camarullo Havana and Army Sgt. Reynante Havana Espana at the village of Digongan in Kitaokitao, Bukidnon on Thursday (Aug. 22), the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said in a statement.

The three were abducted on Aug. 22, 2017 at a rebel roadblock along the highway of Kalagangan in the same municipality.

The military said members of the Komiting Rebolusyonaryo sa Municipalidad that broke off ties with the NPA provided details of the location of the grave site after soldiers went on a community support mission there.

Families of the victims claimed that they have been sending money until July 2019 to the abductors in the belief that the victims were still alive but the NPA failed to comply with demands to show proof of life.

The Eastmincom statement said the remains were turned over to the victims’ families after forensic examination.

“We grieve for the victims’ relatives. At the very least, we were able to put closure to their agony,” said Eastmincom commander Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. /tsb