The Commission on Human Rights has categorized Brgy. Canlusong in EB Magalona as an “area of concern” as far as peace and order is concerned, its provincial chief, Romeo Baldvarona, said yesterday.

Baldevarona called on the police and military to exert more efforts in addressing atrocities and terroristic activities of the armed group, which have alarmed residents.

He said investigations of the police and the prosecution of the suspects behind incidents of murder, kidnapping and destruction of properties in Brgy. Canlusong, EB Magalona, were hampered by the non-cooperation of complainants, and lack of witnesses.

Six persons, including three barangay kagawads, were among the victims of killings in the remote barangays of EB Magalona from June to December last year, aside from the abduction of three farmers and the burning of three houses in the place.

The violent activities in the place was reportedly traced to the conflict among members of warring families in the barangay, who are allegedly connected either to an independent armed group, or to the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade.

The RPA-ABB denied links to killings and incidents of abduction in Brgy. Canlusong.

Brgy. Capt. Merriam Porras also called on the members of warring families in the barangay to end the violence, where suspects did not even spare the innocent.

Baldevarona said they are giving importance to some cases, which are within the jurisdiction of CHR. However, for cases within the domain of our law enforcers, we give them to the PNP, he added. Supt. Samuel Mina, Task Force 3rd District chief, said the Bureau of Fire and Protection, as well as the police have already completed their investigations on the recent arson case in Sitio Manyake, Brgy. Canlusong, EB Magalona.

Mina said witnesses claim to have identified three suspects in the arson case, who also linked the RPA-ABB into the incident.

He added that the arson suspects are family members victimized by the Seva brothers, who have pending arrest warrants.* GPB

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