The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemns the brutal killing of a family of four at their home in Sitio Kangkiling, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental on Wednesday, 14 June 2023.

CHR, through its office in Region VI, already dispatched investigators to pursue the truth behind the killings and seek justice for the victims. At this point, there are already allegations that the incident was insurgency-related allegedly linked to the New People’s Army. But there is also an allegation linking it to the Philippine Army. All possible angles will be pursued in the course of CHR’s independent investigation.

The reported victims were identified as Rolly Fausto, 52; his wife Emilda, 49; and their sons Ben, 11, and Raben, 15. Based on the Himamaylan City police, their bodies sustained close-range gunshot wounds allegedly from an M16 rifle. It was their eldest daughter who got information on the killing on Wednesday evening and was able to report the incident the following day.

The bodies were eventually retrieved in different locations—the father was found in a cornfield 50 meters away from their house, while Emilda and their sons were found inside and outside their houses.

CHR stresses the primacy of the right to life. Any instance to arbitrarily deprive a person of their life, moreso if vulnerable sectors are involved, should be faced with the full force of the law. We hope witnesses also surface towards the resolution of this case and in defense of human rights. ###