Another `killing fields' found in Davao del Sur

DAVAO CITY - Government troops uncovered the other day another "killing fields" of the New People's Army in Malalag, Davao del Sur, just five days after the skeletal remains of at least 60 people, believed to be victims of rebel atrocities in the eighties, were dug up in a mass grave in Cagayan de Oro City.

Authorities believe that as many as 30 victims of NPA atrocities were buried in the mass grave in Barangay Mabini, Malalag town. So far, the skeletal remains of three persons have been dug up. The digging was going on until press time.

Meanwhile, police authorities in Misamis Oriental are waiting for the arrival of an informer who will guide them to forested areas in the towns of Claveria, Balingasag, Lagonglong and Salay where other NPA killing fields are reportedly located.

The areas are under the jurisdiction of the NPA's Front 12 Guerrilla Unit led by the Victorino Bagongon Command.

Authorities said the remains in these mass graves belonged to communist rebels and other civilians killed by the NPA on suspicion they were military spies in line with "Operation Zombie" at the height of the communist insurgency in the eighties.