Anthropologists today (October 14, 2008) found pieces of burnt human bones in the vicinity of the former detachment of the 24th IBPA (Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army) in Brgy. Bliss, Limay, Bataan.
The bones where found at the site where witness-survivor Raymond Manalo said he saw farmer Manuel Merino being burned by soldiers sometime in June 2007.
Anthropologists today (October 14, 2008) found pieces of burnt human bones in the vicinity of the former detachment of the 24th IBPA (Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army) in Brgy. Bliss, Limay, Bataan.
The bones where found at the site where witness-survivor Raymond Manalo said he saw farmer Manuel Merino being burned by soldiers sometime in June 2007.
Dr. Francisco Datar, head of the team of anthropology experts from the University of the Philippines told the fact-finding mission that they are certain that the remains found were small pieces of human bones. These will be brought to the laboratory for further verification.
Probers were led to the site on October 13, 2008 by Manalo who was held incommunicado at the said army camp from November 2006 to July 2007. Manalo said he was held captive with UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño and he witnessed several extrajudicial killings in the said camp.
The fact-finding mission was a joint undertaking by the Commission of Human Rights and human rights non-government organization Karapatan, with the support of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.#
blessing to the man who was burned on this spot in the former 24th IBPA
camp. With him is witness-survivor Raymond Manalo and members of the
fact-finding team.
overcome by grief as the fact-finding team say prayers at the presumed
grave site of farmer Manuel Merino. Manalo said he last saw "Tay
Manuel" being burned on this site.
for Manuel Merino the man he regarded as a father while they were in
military custody. He saw Merino being burned on this very spot.
Karapatan Secretray General Marie Hilao-Enriquez lights a candle.
