NPA admits massacre of 3 brothers in Davao City

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – The Merardo Arce Command of the New People’s Army admitted responsibility for the massacre last week of the three Tulang siblings who were found dead in Barangay Dominga, Calinan District, this city.

Merardo Arce Command spokesman Rigoberto Sanchez confirmed in a statement yesterday that indeed capital punishment was meted out on the Tulang siblings – Agustin, Camelo Jr. and Jocel, for various grave offenses against the revolutionary movement.

Sanchez said the punishment was implemented on Oct. 4 by the Amoran Saripada Command-Front 52 Operations Command-New People’s Army on the basis of a decision by the People’s Court that found the three brothers guilty of heinous crimes against the people and serious crimes against the revolutionary movement.

Sanchez furthered that the three were arrested by the NPA rebels on Oct. 2 for them to stand trial for counter-revolutionary acts, murder, rape, arson and a string of robbery cases before the People’s Court constituted by party members and the masses in Calinan, Paquibato and Marilog Districts in Davao City.

Sanchez said the NPA people’s court decision on the killing of the three Tulang brothers was based on several offenses they have committed against the revolutionary movement such as their alleged direct participation and involvement in the 2007 killing of Erning Binggan, a councilor in Barangay Binuwang, Fatima in Paquibato district.

The NPA also accused the Tulang brothers to be active paid agents of the Military Intelligence Battalion of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division. The three were said to be active in the military counter-revolutionary campaign and the espionage against the NPA.

“They served as combat intelligence and guides of the military during combat operations against the NPAs in the hinterlands of Davao City,” Sanchez said.

The Tulang brothers were also accused of direct involvement in the killing of one Junior Montajes in May 19, 2007 as well as the massacre of the Gonzaga family in Calinan, also in 2007.

Joel was found to have raped a 12-year old girl in Sitio Kibato, Barangay Dominga while he was also accused of attempted rape against his own sister. –Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)