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Saturday, May 17, 2008
Maneros probed for involvement in Pojas' slay
By Carlo P. Mallo
DAVAO CITY -- The police are now looking into the possible involvement of the Manero brothers in the killing of militant leader Celso Pojas on Thursday morning.
In an interview Friday, Chief Superintendent Andres Caro II, Police Regional Office (PRO) Southern Mindanao director, said initial investigation showed that the brother of Celso Pojas is an active member of a New People's Army's (NPA) group led by Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago.
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Parago has claimed responsibility for the abduction of Manero's brother, retired Master Sergeant Jose Manero, last Sunday together with farm owner, Rafael Lorenzo, and a certain Froilan Labrado in Calinan, Davao City.
Jose Manero is the security consultant of the Lorenzo Group of Companies.
"We are looking into this angle, especially that the reports revealed that Manero has declared to go after the allies and kin of the rebel group," Caro said.
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It was reported Thursday that the Manero brothers, including convicted priest killer Norberto Manero, have declared war against the rebel group and have vowed to abduct the relatives and allies of the NPA if the latter does not release the older brother of the Maneros.
A Sun.Star Davao source said the Maneros are already prepared to make true their threat anytime soon.
"Magkagubot gyud kay amo pud og panguhaon ang ilang mga alyado (There will be chaos because we will alos abduct their allies)," the source was quoted in the report.
Justice
Members of militant groups, family and friends of Pojas meantime arrived in droves on San Pedro Street Friday to protest the brutal killing and demand for justice.
Pojas, who was the secretary general of the Farmers Association of Davao City (FADC) and regional spokesperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), was shot dead by unidentified armed men in front of the FADC office in Bugac, Ma-a, Davao City.
"Kung subayon gyud sa pamilya ug mga silingan, wala man ni siya'y kaaway. Wala pud siya'y criminal record (If his family and neighbors will trace his life, he has no enemies. He also has no criminal record). That's why we believe this is politically motivated especially with his recent involvements in the Diarog case and anti-militarization campaign in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental," Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Jeppie Ramada said during Friday's indignation rally.
Ramada added that the family has already requested for an autopsy and ballistics test.
"We are trying to gather witnesses for now. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the United People's Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) have also offered legal assistance," Ramada said.
"We are also studying the possibility of having the case studied under the International Criminal Court," Ramada added.
The group is also hoping to have a dialogue with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte when he gets back from Manila.
Disturbing
While militant groups express condemnation of Pojas slay, local government officials considered the incident disturbing.
"It was very unfortunate and unreasonable. The City Government has been making sure that none of this kind of senseless killing would happen here. It is very regrettable," City Administrator Wendel Avisado said.
While activists were killed in various parts of the country since 2001, Davao gained the reputation of being a city where militants can freely enjoy the democratic space provided by the Philippine Constitution. The death of Pojas apparently dangled the question whether Davao remains a safe city for activists.
"Does Davao remain to be a safe place? For such a kind of killing, one can never be assured that it is 100 percent safe here of activists. We cannot really protect but only mitigate," Avisado said.
Avisado, who is also a lawyer, said the death of Pojas was bereft of reason as the victim was "harmless" and only armed with the "big voice in behalf of the many poor farmers and the marginalized."
Councilor Leonardo Avila also expressed his condemnation, saying the incident "is very disturbing."
"We must condemn it as we condemn every extrajudicial killing anywhere," Avila said.
Avisado agreed that the killing of Pojas can't scare or stop the militants from advancing their cause.
"I know that they will not be stopped by this incident. Killing them won't just scare or stop them but it will all the more fuel their resolve. Waging war against them is never the remedy," he said. (With GLP/JMT/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (May 17, 2008 issue)
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