AFP Uses 'Recyled' Skeletons in Case vs Satur

The seven bodies found in an alleged mass grave in Inopacan, Southern Leyte, which were presented in the multiple murder case against Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, Jose Ma.Sison, Luis Jalandoni, Vicente Ladlad, Rafael Baylosis, Randal Echanis and several others, have already been buried and used in a case somewhere else.

By KAREN PAPELLERO
Bulatlat

CEBU CITY – Sometimes, there is no rest for the dead beyond the grave. Some can be buried more than once.

The seven bodies found in an alleged mass grave in Inopacan, Southern Leyte which were being presented in the multiple murder case against Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, Jose Ma.Sison, Luis Jalandoni, Vicente Ladlad, Rafael Baylosis, Randal Echanis and several others have already been buried and used in a case somewhere else.

This disturbing information was discovered by Karapatan-Central Visayas after they reviewed the case filed against Rep. Ocampo and others.

The military already announced the discovery of the skeletal remains of Domingo Eras, Leonardo Eras, Concepcion Aragon, Carlos Tronueva, Juanita Aviola, Gregorio Eras and Paquito �Tito� Tronueva in Brgy. Monterico, Baybay, Leyte last June 27, 2000.

These were used as evidences in a multiple murder case filed against suspected New People�s Army (NPA) members and leaders in Baybay town in an alleged �purge� in 1985.

Recycling: the name of the game

The presence of the alleged mass grave in Baybay town was further substantiated by the statements of Zacarias Piedad Sr., a confessed former member of the NPA, who was then the sole witness presented by the prosecution in July 2000. He claimed to have known a certain Jaime Soledad and Antonieta Pegoria and identifed them as the NPA leaders who allegedly ordered the mass killings in Brgy. Monterico. He also claimed to have heard them issue out the orders.

During cross-examination, he was able to accurately identify the bodies, 15 years after the alleged killings in 1985.