by Reychemver Credo

Commission on Human Rights Region 12 (CHR-12) Director Erlan Deluvio said cops were behind the massacre of nine Moro farmers in Kabacan, North Cotabato on August 29.

The eight victims were killed on the spot while the ninth victim identified as Nasher Guiaman succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Deluvio said relatives of Guiaman told CHR-12 investigators before he died in the hospital that policemen stopped and shot them.

He added that he does not have the details yet, but nevertheless confirmed that CHR-12 will be docketing the massacre of nine Moro farmers as “extrajudicial killings” (EJK).

The victims were identified as Nasurdin Kalilangan, 41, of Barangay Aringay in Kabacan; Sandigan Zailon, 46, of Barangay Osias, Kabacan; Benladin Dimanalao, 19, of Barangay Pedtad, Kabacan; Zaiden Musaed, 21, of Barangay Basagen, Aleosan; Romeo Balatamay Pioto, 38, of Barangay Aringay, Kabacan; Esmael Pagayon, 17, of Barangay Buluan, Kabacan; Datu Fahad Dimanalao Mandigan, 24, of Sitio Abpa, Kayaga, Kabacan; Budsal Lipusan, of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao; and Nasher Guiaman, 16 or 17 years old, of Barangay Buluan.

Meanwhile, incoming Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan told CNN Philippines on September 2 that they will launch an investigation to the supposed involvement of cops.

North Cotabato Provincial Police Director Henry Villar said they have not established yet the motive of the killing as they are still searching on several angles to provide accurate investigation results.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has likewise declared it will probe the massacre even if it is outside its jurisdiction, noting that “all of the victims were identified as Bangsamoros.”

Furthermore, Deluvio emphasized that the “dying declaration” of one of the victims will be very important to the case. (With reports from MindaNews)