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Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Cops distribute sketch of farmer's killers
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The cartographic sketch of the person behind the slaying of Misamis Oriental militant peasant leader Dalmacio "Daki" Gandinao in Salay, Misamis Oriental was released Monday.
The family members and militant groups voiced hopes that indeed the person in the sketch is a "faithful" illustration of the murderer.
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Mindanao Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. and the Provincial Board issued statements on Monday condemning the cold-blooded shooting of Gandinao.
Earlier, militant and peasant leader Nestor Ladica, a resident of Salay, Misamis Oriental, was shot by unidentified men.
Militant groups declared that Gandinao's slaying like Ladica's was politically motivated.
Gandinao was a coordinator of the Bayan Muna for Misamis Oriental and chairman of the Misamis Oriental Farmers Association (MOFA).
Bayan Muna records show that Gandinao is the 833rd peasant leader and the 127th Bayan Muna member killed by assailants.
The local chapters of these groups, together with other militant groups like Karapatan and Gabriela, are building up the legal charges against the suspected killers.
Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno held Monday a Provincial Peace and Order Committee meeting at his office and requested for updates on the investigation of Gandinao's murder.
A cartographic sketch was then presented based on the description by Gandinao's grandchild of the person who shot the peasant leader.
"The killing of Gandinao is a setback to our peace and order efforts," the governor said.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Northern Mindanao led the Gandinao murder probe.
Moreno appealed to those who have information on the killing of Gandinao to surface and help resolve the case.
Those who attended the committee meeting Monday include Armed Forces 8th Infantry Brigade commander Lieutenant Colonel Eric Vinoya and Superintendent Danilo Pelisco.
Vinoya and Pelisco told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that they are now beefing up security measures in the area and intensifying the manhunt operation against the assailants.
In a press conference Monday, Epifania Gandinao and the other family members of the late peasant leader together with Karapatan lawyer Beverly Musni said the cartographic sketch might just help them in their quest for justice for the murdered peasant leader.
"We hope it is the faithful reproduction of the murderer," said Musni as there were numerous witnesses who saw the murderer who shot Gandinao in front of his family members at his residence in Salay, Misamis Oriental.
She added that the murderer calmly walked away from the crime scene to the streets.
Musni said NBI operatives are now in Salay and that an autopsy is being conducted. "After this we will file the proper charges," she said.
Those who attended the press conference include Bayan Muna leaders Kristin Lim and Henry Trugillo.
During their regular session Monday, board peace and order committee chairman Norris Babiera proposed a resolution "strongly condemning" the killing of Gandinao.
His measure also requested the police to "conduct a thorough investigation of this dastardly and horrendous act of extrajudicial killing."
Babiera said Gandinao "actively espoused the aspirations of the farmers against exploitation and domination" of what the late militant leader believes to be "deplorable and iniquitous agrarian reform situation."
He said this is a "clear indication that the perpetrators of this cowardly crime wanted to silence him in order to stop his ideas from spreading among the peasant folks in the province."
Pimentel, meanwhile, blamed the "unabated" extrajudicial killings of leaders of progressive workers groups and leftist activists on the Arroyo government's "policy of repression against political dissent." (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (February 13, 2007 issue)
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