|
Saturday, September 09, 2006
8 possible motives in Bohol activist’s slay listed
Police investigating the death of a militant leader in Bohol have come up with eight angles to determine the motive of the killing.
But Bohol Provincial Police Office Director Arturo Evangelista said he can only reveal four.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Evangelista told Sun.Star Cebu that they are trying to confirm reports that Victor Olayvar, regional vice chairman of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), was acting as a double agent for the military and the New People’s Army.
They are also looking into the possibility of a rivalry he had with Hugpong sa mga Mag-uumang Bol-anon (Humabol) leader William “Boy” Banting.
Evangelista said Olay-var was vocal against Banting in a local peace forum held last Sept. 2, where he allegedly claimed that Humabol gave in to the NPA’s extortion activities.
But Bayan Muna Bohol coordinator John Ruiz III denied this, saying Evangelista took Olayvar’s statements out of context.
Ruiz told Sun.Star he was with Olayvar at that forum and that Olayvar meant Humabol did not have funds and could not have given the NPA P50,000.
He said he was with Olayvar and Banting at that time. He stressed there was no rivalry between the two.
On the other hand, Evangelista revealed they are also considering the possibility of vengeance.
There were reports that Olayvar ordered the liquidation of some rebel members suspected of feeding information to the military.
He added that witnesses described one of the assailants as between 50 and 60 years old.
“The profile resembled a peasant. Matanda na at walang tsinelas (He’s old and was not wearing slippers),” he said.
Asked about the militant groups’ allegations that the military was behind it, Evangelista said the description of the attackers did not match that of a military man.
Police also don’t discount the possibility that some companies the rebel movement extorted money from were fighting back.
He said many of the companies who were made to pay “revolutionary taxes” are rich and could afford to hire assassins.
During the forum, Evangelista said they assured militant group members that they are free to give him a call and ask for police assistance should they feel they are being threatened.
They were told to inform the nearest police station if they notice suspicious persons following them on motorcycles.
A resolution was signed with the police and the military to assure militant members of their safety, and for all those present in the forum to reject the paying of revolutionary taxes.
Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado has given the police 72 hours to report their findings on the case.
But Ruiz fears the police and military will not look properly into the killing and will hasten their investigation just to meet Aumentado’s order.
Like his counterparts in Cebu, Ruiz said they could only blame the military, which has several detachments in the area.
Militant members in Bohol claim to have acquired a document from the military stating that six of them are being targeted for liquidation.
Ruiz said that since June, Olayvar noticed suspicious men on motorcycles, with no plate numbers, following him around.
Men have also been asking his family of his whereabouts.
He said that aside from the military detachments around Bohol Province, the army also maintained several assents under their barangay intelligence network.
Evangelista, though, downplayed the list, saying the army has nothing to gain by killing militant leaders.
He added that during the forum, 302nd Brigade Commander Arthur Tabaquiera even invited members of militant groups who felt threatened to drop by their headquarters.
Tabaquiera denied the existence of such a list. (MEA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 9, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
