ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews / 8 January) – Authorities revealed Monday the identities of the seven dead persons exhumed altogether from a shallow grave Sunday afternoon at Sitio Lapao, Barangay Karkum, in Sapad town, Lanao del Norte.
In his report, Police Major Alibsar Daraba, Sapad police chief, said all the victims had multiple gunshot wounds in the different parts of their bodies.
He identified them as Joselito Gaviola, Marly Gaviola, Elvie Gaviola Lenara, Epifanio Lenara, Jopay Lenara, Jomar Lenara and Epifanio Lenara Jr., all residents of Purok Dama de Noche, Sitio Lugimit, Poblacion Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur.
Four of the victims were males and three w ere females.
The supposed “salvage” victims or victims of summary execution were buried in a small shallow grave, which authorities uncovered following a report from a concerned civilian. The area is about 30 kilometers southwest of Sapad town.
A team from the 51st Armor Company of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion helped the Sapad police in exhuming the cadavers.
Their remains were brought to a funeral home in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Daraba said.
Police Colonel Sandy Valles, Zamboanga del Sur police director, said they are still investigating the possibility that the victims were abducted and killed somewhere in Zamboanga del Sur, and buried in Sapad town.
The immediate families were expected to arrive in Kapatagan today, January 8, to claim the dead bodies and to provide information to authorities. (Richel V. Umel / MindaNews)
