Thursday, October 04, 2007 Slain Laak farmers to be buried Thursday
THE two farmers allegedly killed by militia and Army soldiers in Laak, Compostela Valley last week will be buried by their relatives Thursday.
Jimboy Rodriguez, brother of one of the victims, maintained that the victims were killed by Cafgu and Army soldiers in Sitio Balwarte, Barangay San Antonio last September 25 at around 6 a.m.
This despite the denial of the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division regarding the alleged involvement of military troops in the death of Titing Rodriguez, 47, and his son-in-law Rene Adlawan, 24.
Lieutenant Colonel Bautista, information officer of the 10th ID, said investigation showed that no Cafgu or Army soldier was involved in the shooting incident.
The Philippine National Police also conducted its own investigation but Provincial Police Director Ronald dela Rosa refused to divulge the result. He said it is confidential and he will still have to get permission from their regional office before making the report public.
When asked for a copy of the investigation report Wednesday, an employee of the Provincial Information Office said the report is still in the R3 office and is waiting for the regional police director's signature.
The victims were said to harvesting corn when about five armed men arrived at the area and confronted Titing. Jimboy said Titing was accused by the armed men of having a hand in the death of a Cafgu in Laak last week.
It was learned that a Cafgu was killed by New People's Army rebels in the area last week and Titing was suspected as the one who informed the rebels about the Cafgu's presence in the area.
Jimboy said that after a brief altercation, the armed men fired at Titing and Rene several times but not without the victims being able to fight back by hacking one of the suspects.
He added that one of the soldiers was also wounded after the incident and was said to have been brought by his fellow soldiers to a hospital in Tagum City. (BOT)
