Families of “Maco Massacre” victims shout for justice

Maco, Compostela Valley Province – Three of the victims of “Maco Massacre” reposes as the families, friends and relatives bring them to their terminus.

The grieving family shouts for justice and condemn the brutal killing of the CPP/NPA. “They (NPA) are responsible to my husband’s death. If they did not plant a landmine, my husband will still be alive right now”. Mercedita Paquingan, Nicolas’ wife, said putting blame to the godless NPA.

On the other hand, Rosita, Juanitos’ widow, hopes that this kind of tragic incident will not happen anymore. “There are many lives wasted and many families suffered because of their (NPA) brutality”, Rosita Cabarubias said.

A day before Valentines’ eve, a heartless attack of the communist/terrorists NPA to civilians shocked the people of Comval Province after a community peace rally held at the tennis court of the Poblacion of Maco, Compostela Valley Province. The event was participated by 22 Barangays or more than 1,300 civilians coming from different sectors of Maco in cooperation with the Local Government Units, Local Government Agencies, and PNP – Maco. Governor Arturo Uy of ComVal Province was the guest of honour and speaker of the said peace rally.

At about 4:45 in the afternoon, right after the community rally, the people were on their way home on board a military truck, remorselessly attacked by the CPP/NPA by detonating an improvised explosive device at the roadside of Purok 6, Brgy. Libay-libay, Maco, Compostela Valley Province. Five civilians were held casualties.
Nicholas Paquingan (56) and a resident of Brgy Dumlan, Maco was dead on the spot. Four of them were brought to the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City.

Unfortunately, on Valentine’s Day, February 14, two of the wounded civilians Juanito Cabarubias (52) and Angelito Cumayas Jr. (42) gave in to their wounds.
On Monday at 2:30 P.M., after the necrology at the Tagum Chapel in Brgy. Conocotan, Tagum, the late Juanito Cabarobias was buried at the La Filipina Cemetery in Tagum City. On their way to the cemetery, the family members and friends call out for justice to the death of their loved ones.

The following day, Tuesday at 2:30 in the afternoon after a necrology with the families, friends and relatives, interment was given to the late Nicolas Paquingan at Brgy. Dumlan, Maco.

Today, at 9 in the morning, the late Angelito Cumayas Jr. is also buried at the estate of Cumaya’s family in Brgy Libay- libay, Maco, Compostela Valley Province.
“Recalling the recent Maco Massacre that resulted to the untimely death of our three fellow Filipinos is very disheartening”, Lt Col Joshua B. Santiago said as he extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the three victims. “Let’s just pray for their repose and hopes for an exact verdict to the perpetrators. It should be a challenge to the human rights advocates like KARAPATAN to condemn the landmining of the CPP/NPA instead of justifying its terroristic acts”, he added.

Governor Arturo Uy denounced the CPP/NPA’s attack to the civilians who were his audience during the peace rally where he rendered a song entitled “PAGKAKAISA”.
“The CPP/NPA should give justice to their victims, they knew who did it, and they have their Kangaroo Court.” The Governor said over an interview in a local TV network.

The local government units of Maco and the 71st Infantry “Kaibigan” Battalion extended assistance to the families and will continue its mission.