CHR probes murder of Himamaylan couple, 2 kids

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched an investigation into the gruesome murder of four members of a family in Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental.

“The CHR, through its office in Western Visayas dispatched investigators to pursue the truth behind the killings and seek justice for the victims,” the CHR said in a statement issued yesterday.

“All possible angles will be pursued in the course of the independent investigation, including allegations that members of the Philippine Army were behind the killing and that the incident was insurgency-related linked to the New People’s Army,” it said.

Rolly Fausto, 50; his wife Imelda, 49, and their two children, aged 15 and 11, were killed at their residence in Sitio Kangkiling, Barangay Buenavista on Thursday night.

A third child, who was not home during the massacre, discovered and reported the incident to the police.

Police said the victims could have been shot at close range using an M16 rifle.

“CHR stresses the primacy of the right to life. Any instance to arbitrarily deprive a person of their life, moreso if vulnerable sectors are involved, should be faced with the full force of the law,” the commission said.

“We hope witnesses also surface toward the resolution of this case and in defense of human rights,” it added.

In a separate statement, progressive teachers’ group Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy noted that the Fausto couple were active members of a farmers’ organization whose members had been red-tagged by the military.