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Friday, May 16, 2008
Militant leader shot dead in Davao
By Ben O. Tesiorna and Grace Plata
DAVAO CITY -- A militant leader was shot dead by two armed men outside his residence in Maa, Davao City Thursday morning and his colleagues considered him the latest victim of extrajudicial killings.
Felled by several gunshot wounds was Celso "Ka Celso" Pojas, 45, secretary general of the Farmers Association of Davao City (FADC) and spokesperson for Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Southern Mindanao Region (KMP-SMR).
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Pojas was across the FADC office, which also serves as his residence, around 6:30 a.m. when two gunmen followed him and shot him several times in the chest and other parts of his body.
The victim died on the spot while the suspects immediately fled towards an unknown direction.
Carl Ala, spokesman for the Peasant Movement of the Philippines, said several people witnessed the shooting and Mayor Rodrigo Duterte assured the group of a swift investigation. She added that officers were interviewing witnesses and trying to determine the motive and identities of the gunmen.
Condemnation
In a statement, KMP-SMR vice chair Pedro Arnado condemned the incident.
The group claimed Pojas' death could be related to his tirades against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
"KMP condemns in strongest term the killing of Pojas. This is an extrajudicial killing done at the height of KMP's campaign against the militarization of farmers and lumad communities in Compostela Valley," Arnado said.
He added that before Pojas was killed, he was actively leading the campaign to stop military operations in Compostela Valley, which recorded an escalation of human rights cases against farmers and lumads.
"He has stood in behalf of the victims of militarization in Baganga and Cateel in Davao Oriental, in New Bataan and Compostela and most recently he spoke for the family of the slain Datu Doming Diarog," Arnado said.
The Davao City Council meantime expressed dismay over the killing of Pojas.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, for his part, said he is deeply saddened by the incident, as this is the first time that a militant leader was killed in the city.
"The right to redress of grievances against a person or a group must be at all times respected. It is part of democracy. He should have been left alone," Dayanghirang said.
He added that he did not want to be judgmental on the matter but "justice must be served to whoever is the perpetrator" thus urging the police to "move fast in resolving this case".
Militant groups under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) are also set to rally in front of Camp Panacan Friday to display their outrage and condemnation of the crime, which they believe was perpetrated by the military.
Death threats
During the past few months, Pojas has reportedly been receiving death threats.
Sometime on March this year, after a radio guesting at dxDC radio station, a man driving a jeepney warned him to be careful as his time is due.
According to Rafael "Ka Paeng" Mariano, chair of KMP-SMR and concurrent president of Anakpawis party list, "Ka Celso is the first victim of extrajudicial killing in Davao City and we ask Mayor Duterte to help in our call for justice for Ka Celso."
Army's denial
The Army's 10th Infantry Division, meanwhile, denied any hand in the death of Pojas as they challenged anyone to file charges in court if they have any evidence or witnesses who would prove the involvement of any Army soldier in the killing.
In a telephone interview, 10th ID public affairs officer Major Rey Aguada said they will cooperate with any investigation to prove the innocence of any of their soldiers and of their organization.
"We deny any involvement. We are always reminded to strict adherence to human rights," Aguada said.
Investigators recovered two .45 caliber empty shells in the crime scene.
Authorities are still investigating the incident as of Thursday and have not issued any official statement. (AP/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (May 16, 2008 issue)
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