BY BULATLAT
Anthropology experts found pieces of burnt human bones in the vicinity of the former 24th Infantry Battalion (IB) detachment in Bgy. Bliss in Limay, Bataan.
The news was relayed through a text message by Ruth Cervantes, public information officer of Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights).
The experts accompanied Raymond Manalo, survivor of torture, and families of missing activists in their search for evidence of military’s involvement in the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. The group arrived in the area yesterday. They were joined by Commission on Human Rights Chair Leila de Lima.
Dr. Francisco Datar, head of the team of anthropology experts from the University of the Philippines said they are certain that the remains found were small pieces of human bones. These will be brought to the laboratory for further verification.
The bones were found at the site where Manalo said he saw farmer Manuel Merino being burned by soldiers sometime in June 2007.
Recently, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeals granting writ of amparo for the Manalo brothers.
In his affidavit, Raymond said he and his brother Reynaldo were held captive by the military from February 14, 2006 to August 13 this year. The two were accused as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
In his affidavit, Manalo also said Ret. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. talked to them and threatened them. He also recounted seeing how the military tortured missing UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño. (Bulatlat.com)
