• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Almost four months after the massacre of her parents and two siblings, allegedly perpetrated by the New People’s Army, in Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, the eldest daughter of slain couple Rolly and Emilda Fausto has decided to file formal charges against the armed suspects, provincial police director PCol. Leo Pamittan disclosed yesterday.
Pamittan said that PCol. Reynante Jomocan, Himamaylan City police chief, informed him that Emily, eldest child of slain Fausto couple, assured them that she will go to the police station and sign the documents that will be filed before the Provincial Prosecutors Office, against more than 10 suspects tagged behind the death of her parents and two siblings on June 14.
It turns out one of the suspects in the massacre is the father in law of Emily, who allegedly led a group of armed rebels in the commission of the crime, according to the police.
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reported that the Fausto couple and two minor children were tagged by the NPA as military informants.
According to the police, Emily initially appeared to be hesitant in pursuing criminal complaints for still unknown reasons.
Pamittan, who bared the timeline of the Fausto case, disclosed that on August 15, the Himamaylan Police Station contacted the Fausto siblings for them to sign the case folders for the filing of murder charges against more than 10 respondents, before the Provincial Prosecutors Office.
“Unfortunately, the two surviving siblings were hesitant to sign the documents,” he pointed out.
On September 1, Emily agreed that the Himamaylan police will be the one to file the complaints, with her authority, through a signed waiver, Pamittan said. More than a month later, he said that Emily called the police station, informing them that she will personally file the case.
Pamittan said that the complaint documents are now ready for signing by Emily.
He believes that Emily may have changed her mind after constant communication with the police.
Prosecutor Flosemer Gonzales, spokesperson of the Regional Task Force- End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), earlier claimed that Rolly, the patriarch, was targeted because he was a former rebel turned military asset; and was working for the surrender of some of his comrades, including the in-laws of Emily, his eldest daughter.
With regard to the killing of Felix Resotay and his nephew, Eliseo Resotay Mahilum by suspected rebels on August 9 in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, Pammitan said their family is no longer interested in pressing charges against the perpetrators.
He, however, added that they are trying their best to convince them to file charges against the rebel suspects.*
