Army Brig. Gen. Gregorio Fajardo yesterday assured an impartial investigation of the killing of two civilians, including a dismissed militiaman, in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, by leaving the probe to the police.

Former CAFGU member Norberto Gallego, and his nephew, Crisanto Gallego Tayuba, were killed in an alleged shoot-out with a team of soldiers and militiamen on Saturday night in the place, police investigations showed. Anthony Casipong, also a former CAFGU member, who was hit by a stray bullet, claimed that soldiers, backed up by CAFGUs, fired at Gallego and his nephew, upon their arrival in the place and without any provocation.

Initial police investigations, however, also showed that Gallego opened fire first at the approaching government troopers, and this led to a shoot-out.

Fajardo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said he has ordered Lt. Col. Felicisimo Budiongan, Task Group North commander, to look into claims of Casipong and to determine if a violation of the Rules of Engagement was committed by government troopers. He added that if the families of the victims want justice, they also would like to ferret out the truth. Should there be excesses, he said they will know it later.

Budiongan said his troops responded to information about the presence of armed men having a drinking spree in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, and also of a certain Gallego who is facing murder charges, with a cash reward of P300,000 for his arrest.

A Squires Bingham .38 caliber revolver with three empty shells and three live ammunition in its chamber was recovered allegedly from Gallego, was endorsed by government troopers to the 611th Provincial Mobile Group.

Casipong, in an interview with Bombo Radyo, said Gallego and his nephew, along with five others, arrived months ago from Metro Manila in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava.

He further claimed that Gallego and his nephew were sometimes seen with firearms in their possessions.

Casipong, however, said the five reported companions of the victims were not present during what he calls the "massacre" of Gallego and his nephew.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, said military troopers, who responded to reports of armed men having a drinking spree in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, were fired at by the suspects.

Franco said the team leaders of soldiers who figured in the incident, have already been summoned by the 611th PMG investigators to get their statements.

Families of the victims vehemently denied claims that Gallego and his nephew were involved in illegal activities.

Citing claims of soldiers who figured in the gunbattle, Ordaniel said gunfire from automatic rifles had also been heard from the different houses, when soldiers and the two Gallegos allegedly traded shots with government forces.

He added that Norberto was dismissed as a CAFGU member , allegedly for his involvement in robbery-hold-up and related activities in Brgys. Marcelo and Minapasok in Calatrava.*GPB

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