Survivors and relatives of the victims of the La Castellana ambush will mark the first anniversary of the incident on January 27 on the theme “Adlaw sa Pagdumdum (Day of Remembrance).”

The incident, described by the military and the police as a massacre, claimed the lives of eight civilians and a policeman, and caused injuries to 12 others.

The victims, on board a Fuzo Canter vehicle, were on their way home after attending a fiesta when they were ambushed by about 20 New People’s Army rebels on that day last year, in Barangay Puso, La Castellana.

Among the activities lined up are a mass, blessing of the site and unveiling of the marker in Brgy. Puso, La Castellana. These will be followed by the giving of testimonies by the survivors and the relatives of the victims, and a tree-planting activity.

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the New People’s Army, said in a recent statement, that those behind the incident have already been penalized, for violating their rules and regulations.

Rebel spokesman Juanito Magbanua, however, maintained that, based on their witnesses, the members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team who were killed in the ambush had firearms.

Nine counts of murder have been filed by the police against the rebel suspects.

Magno Flores, who was reported to be the leader of the rebel ambush team, was also recently linked to the summary execution of Rolan Dadlis, a member of the Bukidnon tribe, in Brgy. Riverside, Isabela, military said.

Flores, alias Ka Anot and Edgar, has a reward of P300,000 on his head. He is facing charges for murder and for illegal possession of firearms.*GPB

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