Philippines Mass graves update:

The reports of a couple of days ago on the alleged existence of mass graves in Leyte and more reports of other sites across the country has the NDF saying they want charges filed on this issue.

Not unexpected - because afterall that there were purges is common knowledge from the 1980’s - a new purge however would be something new.

that deaths and killings have happened also is something many in the left as well as eight wing insurgent groups as well as former members also openly speak about. So if indeed some sort of charges are filed it may be for the best to once and for all get at the issue - or so says the NDF and other groups as well.

One thing though is clear -the existance of urban killing or death squads in many parts of the country - either from vigelante groups to other factions in the insurgency is something most people know about - it doesn’t take a major investigation to see - the bodies, the dead, the graves, the grieving - yes- there is a higher than normal level of targeted violence.

[] …” File charges on Leyte mass graves, NDF dares govt ABS CBN News, Philippines - By MARK IVAN ROBLAS, The Manila Times Reporter. Go ahead and file charges, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) dared the government. …”[]

Some are trying to figure out this mess and seek answers to who and whom the blame should fall on for many of the attacks which have taken place.

[] ” … THE CHURCH AS PEACEMAKER
Bohol Chronicle, Philippines - … must be set up to unravel these so-called extra-judicial killings, per the … Democratic Front (NDF) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). …[]

From across the country and across the globe the numbers of attacks and unsolved cases of killings often are seen as part of major reason for concern by human rights groups.

[]…” Murder spree fuels fear in Philippines
The Brunei Times, Brunei Darussalam - … Previously, the Government blamed the rebels and their political wing, the Communist Party of the Philippines, for the recent surge in killings, ..[]

[] ..” Rights group accuses Palparan of 136 violations
Philippine Information Agency, Philippines - Sep 2, 2006
… He said what the Karapatan tally confirmed was that the killings had been taking place long before his assignment in the region. …
Philippine communist party denies military claims of mass grave of …
International Herald Tribune, France - … the current political killings and at the same time contrive a legal offensive against key personalities in the National Democratic Front of the Philippines …” []

Most of the information coming out comes from a report that came out in the associated press - which followed up by local media people in Leyte reveals more information:

[] ” …. August 26, troops from the 8th Infantry Division began digging a mass grave in Inopacan town where a hundred rebels and civilians were buried after they were ordered executed in the 1980s on suspicion they were military spies.
As of Thursday afternoon, the troops have so far recovered 65 skeletal remains from the mass grave. Quoting initial forensic tests, the military said three of the victims were women while another was below 18 years old. Armed Forces of the Philippines public information office chief Bartolome Bacarro has said the troops are also locating another mass grave in the general vicinity where 200 more victims of the purge were buried …[]

Overall the reports still has a long way to go … as to specifics and cases and evidence. it will be interesting to find out with each side pointing fingers who and when and where are chaged.

Earlier post: Mass grave found in Philippines: ‘killing fields’