Rebel returnee, father, sibling massacred in Tarlac town

CAMP MAKABULOS — A rebel returnee, together with his father and sibling, was shot dead the other day in a village in Sta. Ignacia town known to be a stronghold of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Reports reaching the provincial police identified the victims as former rebel Melchor Santos, 28; his father, Dominador, 49; and brother, Falcon, 21.

The Santoses were tenants of the farm owned by lawyer Jerry Fernando.

Investigation showed that Melchor and Dominador were inside their house in Barangay Timmaguab when armed men clad in black sweat shirts, black pants and bonnets, barged inside.

Dominador’s wife, Mercedita, said the armed men were looking for Melchor, who then came out of his room with his two-month-old son and wife, Criselyn Facun, herself a former guerrilla.

The armed men reportedly wanted to talk to Melchor but he struggled and went behind his mother. They then shot Melchor in the head and body, killing him on the spot.

Dominador tried to fight back, but was also gunned down.

Mercedita sought help from her other son, Falcon, but she found him lifeless with multiple gunshot wounds at the backyard.

Melchor’s baby, wife and mother were left unharmed. — With Ric Sapnu