Barug Katawhan leader shot dead in Davao Oriental

Kagawad Cristina Jose of Brgy. Binondo, Baganga Municipality, Davao Oriental (Kilab Multimedia)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines- A Barangay Kagawad of Binondo, Bagangga Municipality, Davao Oriental and a leader of Barug Katawhan was shot dead Monday evening, March 4.

The victim, CRISTINA JOSE,  was one of those who led the 3-day protest rally outside the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao. Jose is also a member of the party-list group Bayan Muna.

According to human rights advocate, Karapatan Southern Mindanao, Jose and all those who participated in the 'Kampuhan' were allegedly harassed by the Barangay Captain and the military from 67th IBPA.

"Supposedly, she was on her way to Davao City after the session to report the cases of Human Rights Violations, but she was brutally killed", said Karlos Trangia, spokesman of Barug Katawhan.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, in a text message, condemned the killings and called for an immediate investigation.

Colmenares said that whoever the perpetrators are should be punished.

Bayan Muna Calls for an immediate investigation of Baldomero's killing

Members of Bayan Muna Partylist together with human rights advocate group KARAPATAN and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) today held a protest in Mendiola to condemn the assassination of Fernando I. Baldomero of Lezo, Aklan, who was shot dead early yesterday.

Baldomero is a Sangguniang Bayan member and Bayan Muna provincial coordinator Lezo, Aklan. It is the first case of political killings under Aquino-regime.

In a statement, Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño demands an immediate and thorough investigation on the possible involvement of military and military-backed death squads in this continuing climate of impunity against government critics. He also stressed that Baldomero is the first and should be the last victim of extrajudicial killing under the Aquino government.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) through  Renato Reyes said Mr. Aquino should use the full force of law to arrest the perpetrators. BAYAN also remind Aquino of his avowed commitment to end extrajudicial killings and punish their perpetrators.

Meanwhile, KARAPATAN Chair Marie Hilao-Enriquez calls on the present administration to immediately conduct an investigation, and to arrest and punish the perpetrators of the Baldomero killing. Enriquez added that the complete justice announcement of Aquino is nothing if the political killing and impunity is still prevalent and continuing.

Militant groups deemed the incident as part of the ongoing counter-insurgency program OPLAN BANTAY LAYA (Operation freedom watch) of the Armed Forces of the Philippine