PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

Kananga mass torture and masssacre, condemned
May 6, 2003

The spokesman of the Communist Party of the Philippines today condemned the 19th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army for carrying out a mass torture and massacre of nine civilians at Kananga town, Leyte last April 16.

Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, CPP spokesman, denounced the mass torture and massacre, which earlier was reported by the military as an encounter with the NPA. It was carried out upon orders of Lt. Col. Oscar Lactao, commanding officer of 19th IB, whom Rosal called the "Palparan of Leyte."

No encounter occured, Rosal clarified basing on the reports of Tacloban-based human rights and people's organizations. In fact, investigations showed that eight of the nine victims were shot in the head at close range, thus, shattering the victims' craniums.

Mass tortures were carried out before killing the nine victims. Rosal said that there is evidence that boiling water was poured over the victims' extremeties, faces and abdominal areas. One showed that the hands of one victim were burned over a fire.

Among the victims were peasant leaders Eugenio Tazan, 54 years old who headed the San Isidro Small Farmers Association (SISFA) and 24-year old Rowena Superior of the Bagalungon Small Farmers Association (BASFA). Superior was three months pregnant. Four others killed were minors-- Randy Potoy, 15; Rey Corpin, 13; Benjie Cabugoy, 17; and Obet Quidlat, 16. All were residents of Kananga.

Rosal appealed for the public to pay attention to and help expose the Kananga Mass Torture and Massacre.

"Hinahamon ko ang mga taong-simbahan, mga estudyante, guro, mga taong-midya, mga pulitiko at iba pa na makiisa at tulungan ang mamamayan ng Kananga sa kanilang hangarin na makamit ang katarungan sa labis na karumal-dumal na paglapastangan sa mga karapatan nila at ng mga kamag-anak at kababaryo nilang tinortyur at minasaker," Rosal said.

In particular, Rosal called on Senator Francis Pangilinan, head of the Senate human rights committee, to investigate the Kananga Mass Torture and Massacre just as he is carrying out an investigation into the killing of Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy in Mindoro.

Rosal also said that the New People's Army will do all it can to heed the calls for justice by the thousands who have been victimized by militarization in the countryside. "Sa likod ng matinding militarisasyon sa kanayunan at mga paglabag sa karapatang-tao, patuloy na sumusulong ang rebolusyonaryong armadong pakikibaka sa buong bansa. Ang lalong paglakas ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan ay nagbibigay dito ng ibayong kakayanan na tugunan ang sigaw ng mamamayan para sa katarungan at parusahan ang mga pusakal na pasistang militar para sa kanilang mga utang na dugo sa mamamayan." ###

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553



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