Manila Today
Two days after the brutal killing of Fausto family in Himamaylan, a 17-year old named Rey Almario Belan in Masbate is yet another victim on the spate of killings led by the military according to reports.
Gunshots and bombings were carried out by 2nd Infantry Batallion (IB) towards Rey along with his three cousins and a dog who went to the mountains to hunt for bayawak or Philippine monitor lizard in Dimasalang, Masbate.
According to reports, the four managed to run and went to the local barangay to seek help. Rey sustainted four gunshot wounds, three in the body and one in the knee.
Meawhile, the 2nd Infantry Batallion alleged that there had been an encounter between the military and members of the New People’s Army. But Rey’s kin were quick to refute these claims.
“Ang galing ninyo gumawa ng balita, gusto ninyo paniwalain ‘yong mga tao,” said in a comment on the Facebook post.
Christopher Inso, cousin of Rey’s companions, lambasted the allegations and said that such firearms and explosives were only planted.
“Magic sarap ang ginamit kaya iyan nagkaroon ng granada at baril, mga pinsan ko ang kasama niyan sa panghuhuli ng bayawak nug nangyaring piagbabaril sila bigla,” Inso said in the comment.
Accordingly, the family were restricted to take photos in the area where the incident transpired. It was 6PM when they were able to retrieve the body with the help of the local barangay. Two hours after, the body was carried to Philippine National Police (PNP) Dimasalang Masbate along with barangay officials and military escorts.
The family demanded for medicolegal reports and necessary documentations by PNP Dimasalang in hopes to seek filing charges against the military. The bereaved family also seeks help for burial assistance.
