Press Release

February 14, 2012

Residents commemorate Maco Massacre in its 1st year MONKAYO, Compostela Valley Province - One year had passed and the family and relatives of the victims of Maco Massacre are still in pursuit of justice for their beloved. Today, residents of Brgy. Libay-libay, Maco, Compostela Valley Province converge for the Unveiling of Marker in commemoration of the first year of the inhumane killing of their brethren on the eve of Valentines Day, February 13, 2011. The event was spearheaded by the barangay officials of Brgy. Libay-libay, in cooperation with the 71st Infantry Battalion and PNP ComVal, headed by S/Supt. Timoteo Pacleb. Civilians became the casualties of said incident that blatantly killed Nicolas Paquingan, Angelito Cumayas Jr. and Juanito Cabarobias while wounding four others including two government troops. Nasubo ko kay hangtod karon wala pay nadakpan sa mipatay sa akong asawa, ug dako ang akong kalagot sa rebeldeng NPA nga maoy nagbuhat ani. (I felt dejected until now because after one year, still no one is held responsible for the death of my husband. I disgust the rebel NPAs who did this to him.), Mrs. Merciditas Paquingan said. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Camilo Ligayo, Battalion Commander of 71st IB, challenged human rights groups to help the family of the victims in finding justice for their death. The heroism of these three victims will always be remembered and we hope that the advocators of human rights, as they claim, will work hand in hand to continuously seek justice for them, Lt. Col. Ligayo said.

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