Rebel Returnee and Siblings found dead in Abra

Licuan-Baay, Abra – a former rebel identified as Fredie Ligiw 30 years old, together with his father Licuben Ligiw, 68 years old and brother Eddie Ligiw, 35 years old, a stakeholder in the construction of Daycare Center in So Manapnap, Barangay Binasaran, Malibcong, all residents of So. Sucao, Brgy Dominglay, Licuan-Baay, Abra  were found dead on March 8, 2014, They were reported missing for almost five (5) days with hands tied at their backs and buried when they were unearthed.

            Fredie Ligiw was last seen by the civilian populace at So Manapnap, Brgy Binasaran, Malibcong Abra last March 3, 2014. According to them, they were accompanied by the group of NPA remnants under Flores Baluga @ Bram, the first deputy secretary of Abra Party Committee (APCOM) during the conduct of a meeting at said place.

           

Freddie Z. Ligiw and his son.

These summary executions by the NPA remnants are their proverbial acts to any person or even to their comrades suspected as Army supporters. Mr Ulysis B. Dapit alyas Asunta, an innocent civilian from Brgy Sallapadan Bario, Sallapadan, Abra was a victim of this act on February 17, 2008. He was abducted and murdered by the NPA remnants and up to this date, justice has not been served. Also, Mr. Emelio Brillantes, a resident of Brgy Bayabas, Malibcong, Abra was also abducted and executed by the NPA sometimes in March 1998.

           

Photo of victim Eddie Z. Ligiw.

The investigation is still on progress and truth and justice must prevail. It’s high time for us to reflect and think sensibly, seek for justice against the perpetrators and the NPA remnants must be punished for the murders they have committed.

            The 41^st Infantry Battalion sympathized with the families of the victims and condemned the criminal acts of NPA remnants; armed struggle and killing of innocents civilians and suffering of the people in the province of Abra. Thus, we are calling for the support of all Abrenians, let us all unite and work together to end this violence once and for all for a peaceful and progressive Abra.