LEGAZPI CITY --- Law enforcers uncovered over the weekend a mass grave with three dead bodies at a mountainous barangay in Esperanza town in Masbate, reports reaching Camp Simeon Ola said the other day.
Police Supt. Eliciar Bron, Bicol Philipine National Police (PNP) spokesman, said joint elements of the Esperanza police station and the Philippine Army (PA) discovered on Friday morning the mass grave at a mountainous area of Barangay Guadalupe in Esperanza town.
The team led by Army 2Lt. Dofred Cortes recovered three decomposing bodies of civilians later identified as Christopher Canoy, 30, married, a farmer; brothers Joel, 25, married and Richard, 17, single both surnamed Serafen. The victims according to a village chief were all residents of said village.
Relatives of the victims told the police that the victims were reportedly missing since June 30, this year, at the height of clashes between government forces and New People’s Army rebels.
Police report said the mass grave was discovered after villagers tipped off Army soldiers about a stinking odor in the place.
Bron said the victims were summarily executed by the insurgents because they were suspected government informers.
Earlier, government forces were hot on trail against NPA rebels operating in Masbate after the latter’s torching of a Solar Panel equipment in Esperanza, Masbate last month.
The burning of the solar panel equipment was due to the failure of the project proponent to pay extortion money demanded by the NPA, Army reports said.
Col. Ariel Bernardo, Commanding Officer of the 901st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army said the solar panel is part of a Philippine Rural Electrification joint project between the National Government and the French Government.
Bernardo said the Third District of Masbate where the towns of Esperanza, Cataingan and Placer are found is a favorite target for extortion by the rebel group.
Bernardo admitted his men are on a total offensive operation against the NPA guerillas in the island province.
