Wednesday, February 27, 2008 Leave us in peace: Ferrazini family By Stella A. Estremera
THE family of slain businessman Vicente S. Ferrazini wanted to go back to a life without fear as they had before Ferrazini was assassinated by communist rebels in Bankerohan, Davao City last January 4.
"We just want to be left alone to return to our normal lives and not live in fear because you don't know who is out to shoot you," Johnny Ferrazini, the victim's father, said Tuesday morning.
The family members also said they would prefer not to talk to any other media and are hoping that their statement will be enough for the rebels to allow them to go back to how they were before and even be allowed to visit their Catigan farm, which Vicente has taken cared of when he was still alive.
It was Vicente who planted the mangosteen and durian trees there, they said.
The Ferrazinis have been residents and businessmen of Davao since the 1940s, with the Merco business having been started by the elder Ferrazini's father.
The family was also one in denying that a member has issued any statement to the media as quoted by another local daily Tuesday, resenting the words used there and saying such statement could lead to bigger trouble.
"We just want to live without fear," the father said.
The father was referring to a quotation attributed to "a member of the Ferrazini family" used by another local newspaper that said, "We will use the full force of the law in running after them (killers of Vicente)."
"We never said anything like that," the brother Anthony said.
"We have paid more than enough, that should be the end of it, allow us to live in peace," the distraught mother seconded.
The family gathered Tuesday as the death of Vicente haunts them anew after the New People's Army Merardo Arce Command (NPA-MAC) admitted in an emailed statement last Monday that the meting out of the death penalty to Vicente was a mistake.
In "A Statement of Self-Criticism on the Ferrazini Killing" sent by email by the NPA-MAC dated February 25, 2008 and carrying the name Rigoberto Sanchez, the NPA said after an investigation on Vicente's assassination, they have "established the conclusion that the grounds on which a lower unit command of NPA based their decision to mete out the particular action taken against Vicente Ferrazini are insufficient to warrant the maximum penalty of death."
When the NPA claimed responsibility for the killing of Vicente, they accused the businessman of having helped the military.
Vicente was accused of allowing the military to use the Catigan farm to camp in.
Before the military encamped there, however, it was the NPA who was frequenting the farm.
The farm is the only area in Catigan with a virgin forest, the family said, and so they cannot do much to stop anyone from seeking shelter there.
In admitting their mistake, the NPA claims that it is now "currently undertaking appropriate and necessary courses of action related to this grievous incident."
The statement said the NPA is also "prepared to make an indemnification" and are "open to meet and talk with the Ferrazini family via their choice of neutral channels."
The family, while appreciating the apology, are firm in saying they just want an end to the uncertainty that they have to live with now -- not knowing if they are the next target -- as they never had any reason to fear for their lives before Vicente was killed.
