Army asks NDF: let’s solve killing of leftist leaders
THE MILITARY has challenged left-leaning groups to cooperate with the police in the investigation of the deaths of Joselito Pasaporte and Jimmy Saypan.
Instead of immediately accusing the crime to the military and doing hysterical sloganeering and disruptive street protests, the National Democratic Front (NDF) and their allies should provide information and evidence that could pinpoint and bring to justice the perpetrators of the crimes, the spokesperson of the army’s 10th Infantry Division, which covers the Davao region, said.
“For those who are really serious in seeking justice for Saypan and Pasaporte, now is the right time for them to cooperate and support the police investigation on their deaths,” said Capt. Rhyan Batchar, the division spokesperson. “This is not the time to use the unfortunate deaths of these two individuals for propaganda.”
Saypan, 58, the secretary general of the Compostela Valley Farmer Association (CFA), died at the Davao Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City on Tuesday, a day after he was shot by two unidentified men in Barangay New Visayas, Montevista, Compostela Valley.
Joselito Pasaporte, 28, a leader of Panalipdan Youth organization, was shot dead by unidentified men as he was on his way home after watching a cockfight in Barangay Lapinigan in Mabini, Compostela Valley last Thursday.
Progressive groups have accused the military for the murder of the two lumad leaders.
Montevista Municipal Police Station said the death of Saypan could be related to his work as an Indigenous People’s leader who opposed mining. However, they are looking into personal grudges as among the angles.
On the case of Pasaporte, Mabini Municipal Police Station is looking into drug angle as Pasaporte was in the town’s drug watch list.
The police report recommended the further profiling of the victims, invite and investigate all persons of interest and conduct in-depth investigation on the association the victims were affiliated.
“From the reports of the police and in the media, it appears that there are still a lot of questions on the background of the victims and the motives and the identities of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, thus accusations against any individual, group or organization should be fully substantiated,” Batchar said.
He added: “Unfounded, unsubstantiated and purely speculative accusations are not only irresponsible but also unfair.”
Batchar said that the allegation against the army as behind the murders is “a well-orchestrated psy-war effort to tarnish, malign and smear the good image of the command to the people of Davao Region.”
He said it is “very unfortunate” that some organizations are using the deaths of Saypan and Pasaporte to put doubts on the on-going peace talks between the government and the NDF.
“The 10ID would like to reiterate our all-out support and compliance to the on-going peace talks and ceasefire as we are one with the Filipino in yearning for a just and lasting peace,” Batchar added.
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