Llanquihue

On October 18, 1973, the following individuals, none of whom had political affiliations, were killed on the road between Puerto Montt and Pelluco:

José René ARGEL MARILICAN, 33 years old;

Adolfo Omar ARISMENDI PEREZ, 19 years old, student;

Dagoberto Segundo CARCAMO NAVARRO, 20 years old, laborer;

Carlos MANSILLA COÑUECAR, 20 years old, boxer;

Jorge MELIPILLAN AROS, 40 years old; and

José Armando ÑANCUMAN MALDONADO, 20 years old, laborer.

According to the official version provided by the Chief of the State of Siege Zone for the Province of Llanquihue and Chiloé, as recorded in Bando Nº 46, a Carabineros patrol surprised six individuals on the road between Puerto Montt and the seaside resort of Pelluco, "who, upon being ordered to stop, did not obey the order and instead attempted to attack the police personnel, while insulting and threatening them.

For this reason, and in accordance with the regulations in force, said individuals, whose names have been made public, were eliminated on the spot. It was subsequently verified that all of them were habitual criminals with extensive criminal records."

Despite the deaths being presented as having occurred as a result of an attempted attack on police forces, the Commission formed the conviction that this case involved a human rights violation for which State agents were responsible, as they executed the victims outside of all legality, based on the following circumstances:

– The fact that it was verified that several of the victims were previously detained at the Antonio Varas police station in Puerto Montt, which makes the claim that they were wandering the streets during curfew hours implausible;

– The immediate death of all those affected, under conditions where they were unarmed and under heavy military surveillance during curfew hours;

– The existence of testimonies confirming that this was not an attack on police personnel, but an execution;

– The information gathered from police officers themselves, which leads to the conviction that this was an execution;