Author Topic: Military blamed for death of Bol-anon activist  (Read 921 times)

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Military blamed for death of Bol-anon activist
« on: June 21, 2007, 03:57:27 AM »
By Kit Bagaipo

The military is linked to the killing of Bayan-Muna leader Mario "Ka Mayong" Auxillo even as the prime suspect for the murder remains at large.

During a press conference held at the wake of Auxillo at the Holy Name Funeral Homes, this city last Monday, militant leaders condemned the killing as part of the military's anti-insurgency campaign and neutralization of activist groups - Oplan: Bantay Laya.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Bohol secretary general John Ruiz III claimed that the lone suspected gunman, Hilario Diola, alias Larry, although a civilian, "the responsibility and the hand of the military is undeniable" as the suspect is said to be a member of Alimaong (Holy Warriors), a known anti-communist group.

Ruiz also alleged Diola to be a local asset of the 15th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

The militants believe that Auxillo's murder last Friday was the decisive end of a series of "black propaganda and smear campaign believed to be the handiwork of the military and its backed organization, the Mata na Bol-anon Movement.

During the last election, where Auxillo ran for provincial board member and actively campaigned for the party list group Bayan Muna, "the smear campaign against him further aggravated," Ruiz reported.

Ruiz said even after the election, the "members of the 15th IB, together with dubious individuals claiming to be NPA surrenderees were conducting pulong bayan attacking Bayan Muna, HUMABOL (Hugpong sa Mag-uumang Bol-anon) including its leaders."

"Ruiz said that Auxillo had confrontations with the military last May 21 in Poblacion, Trinidad, and on June 4 at TTFA, San Vicente, Trinidad. After the two incidents "Ka Mayong" was tailed by two motorcycles with no plate numbers," Ruiz said.

Auxilio, 50, was shot three times last June 15, about 11 p.m. by a lone gun man while he was inside a house in Poblacion Public Market, Bien Unido.

Auxillo was rushed to the Gov. Celestino Regional Hospital but expired last Sunday. He was supposed to be operated last Monday to remove a bullet still lodged in his left jaw.

Before the said incident, he had a meeting with a local farmers' organization of Humabol in barangay Nueva Estrella. Humabol is a militant peasant federation that is a member of Bayan-Bohol.

PPOC FACT FINDING REPORT

However, the fact finding team of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) could not see any link of the military to the killing of Auxillo.

During a press conference conducted by the team last night, the group presented interviews of seven persons who gave testimonies relating to the shooting of Auxillo.

The claim of cause-oriented groups that the suspect, Diola, have military connections, is an unsubstantiated allegation, according to the fact finding team.

While the group Alimaong is said to be an anti-communist group, the team said they are not aware of any working alliance with the group or its members.

Bohol PNP Director SSupt. Edgardo Ingking, a member of the fact finding team, said he is not even aware such an anti-communist organization existed.

According to a witness interviewed by the fact-finding team, he saw Auxillo and Diola together in a videoke bar, and even "shook hands" in Poblacion Bien Unido having a "serious conversation" for about 20 minutes where the latter offered two rounds of drink which Auxillo accepted.

Auxillo was allegedly offered another round but refused as he still had to go somewhere.

A speech impaired witness likewise reenacted the incident consistently and indicated that Diola was the one who shot Auxillo, according to the fact finding team.

CONFLICTING TESTIMONY


Bayan Muna claimed at least seven witnesses of the shooting positively identified Diola, who was said to be a friend of Auxillo. Both were seen together before the incident, according to Bayan's Ruiz.

A lady-friend (name withheld upon request of witness) of Auxillo, who saw the shooting said, Auxillo was about to board his motorcycle to return to a sister's house in said town when Diola, armed with a .38 caliber revolver, came out from nowhere and shot the militant leader several times.

Auxillo sustained gunshot wounds in his thigh, elbow and at his left cheek.

Two of the five witnesses have already executed sworn statements to the police.

DEEPER INVESTIGATION

SSupt. Ingking said during an interview over dyRD's Inyong Alagad Monday that they will look deeper into the killing of Auxillo.

He assured that proper charges will be filed against the lone suspect once they have completed the sworn statements of the witnesses.

SSupt Ingking said, even if the case is high profile in nature, they will treat it as a regular criminal case.

As of presstime yesterday, the complaint has yet to be filed by the PNP.

SSupt Ingking urged cause-oriented groups not to issue statements that would only muddle the investigation.

He asked for their cooperation in solving the crime.

Bayan Muna Reg'l coordinator Arman Perez said, unlike the case of slain Bayan leader Victor Olayvar, they are optimistic the case against the suspect will be successfully prosecuted.

INDIGNATION RALLY

Militant organizations staged an indignation rally yesterday in front of the provincial Capitol condemning the killing of Auxillo, whom they call a "real champion for a genuine agrarian reform."

The group demanded justice for Auxillo and other militants who were victims of extra-judicial killings, namely, Olympio Crame, Anakpawis-Calape (February 2004); Eugenio Furog, Bayan Muna- Trinidad (June 2004); Elizelda Cunado-Gabriela women's party-Candijay (February 2006); Nestor Arinque, Humabol and Bayan Muna leader (April 2006); and Victor Olayvar, Bayan (September 2006).(The Bohol Chronicle, June 20, 2007)

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