Skeletal remains of 'Kangaroo Court' victims found in Quezon

SAN FRANCISCO, QUEZON (July 22, 2012)  - A farmer who was plowing his field accidentally unearthed the skeletal remains of what is believed to be that of the victims of the NPA's 'Kangaroo Court' purging more than two decades ago.

Mr Rommel Malinao, 47, was preparing his farm for the planting season yesterday when he discovered the mass grave containing the remains of at least 30 people, in his field in Sitio Irrigation, Pagsangahan village here.

Malinao said that the sight of the human skeletons made him tremble in fear, remembering the times when the NPA rebels were killing people whom they suspected as military informants. 

He promptly informed the local officials of his villages about his startling discovery.  

Rebecca Ruga, the village chief of Pagsangahan,  reported the incident to the local police and tmilitary authorities. 

At around 8:00am today, the  government officials, soldiers of the 74th Infantry Battalion and PNP scene of the crime operatives (SOCO) proceeded to the site of the mass grave to conduct investigation. 

Local villagers who also rushed to the scene witnessed the fearsome sight of the victims' remains, some skulls still bearing marks of torture. 

A villager who refused to be identified, said that there were at least 47 people in their locality who went missing starting in mid-80's.

It was also during this period that the communist rebels implemented the "Oplan Missing Link", in its attempt to cleanse their ranks from suspected deep penetration agents (DPAs). 

Lt Col Dennis Perez, the Commanding Officer of the 74th Infantry Battalion, said that all human rights advocates including KARAPATAN must denounce the merciless executions by the communist rebel group. 

"This is a clear manifestation of the CPP-NPA's cruelty not only towards the civilian populace but also against their own armed members. These crimes must be condemned by all freedom-loving Filipinos," he said.

In August 2006, another mass grave, containing remains of former NPA rebels who were executed by their comrades was discovered at Sitio Mount Sapang Dako, Barangay Kaulisihan, Inopacan, Leyte. 

Former NPA leaders Satur Ocampo and Dario Tomada were charged in court as one of those responsible in implementing the purging of the communist rebel's ranks from suspected government spies.

From 2009-2012, several mass graves were discovered by the soldiers of the 9th Infantry Division around the Bicol region. 

Skeletal remains of NPA victims were discovered in Gubat town in Sorsogon, Bgy Taplacon in Camalig, Albay and also in Labo, Camarines Norte.