PNP probes killing of 2 activists

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 30): PNP probes killing of 2 activists

The Philippine National Police is investigating the killing of two activists, and injuring of their colleague Tuesday in Sitio San Ramon, Brgy. Poblacion, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

The fatalities were identified by human rights group Karapatan as Elisa Badayos, wife of former labor leader Jimmy Badayos, and Eleuterio Moises, a barangay tanod and member of the Mantapi Edwan Farmers Association.

Injured was a certain CJ Matarlo of Anak Bayan.

The slain Badayos was coordinator of Karapatan Negros Oriental, John Milton “ Butch” Lozande, secretary general of the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, said.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay also said in a statement that the victims were part of the 30-member fact-finding mission team sent to investigate reported human rights violations in Bayawan, Negros Oriental.

Senior Supt. Edwin Portento, provincial police director of Negros Oriental, said they are validating the identities of two suspects in the shooting incident, based on the claims of the injured survivor.

Clarizza Dagatan, Karapatan Negros secretary general, said Moises was driving a motorcycle, with Badayos and CJ Matarlo as passengers, when they were shot by the suspects.

Dagatan and Lozande have denounced the killing of Badayos and Moises, as well as for inflicting injuries on Matarlo

Palabay, noting that the attack on human rights defenders are becoming more rampant, more brutal, more fearless, said the incident has only proven how fascism works to out rightly kill those who dare to ask questions.

But Portento said there is nothing to investigate about alleged human rights violations or abuses committed by the military in the area, as almost all of them have already been re-assigned to Mindanao.

He said the victims and their colleagues were not engaged in a fact-finding mission, but in community organizing.

The abuses he had known in the area involved the killing of a member of the Civilian Armed Geographical Unit by suspected rebels, Portento added.

The motive for the shooting of Badayos and her two companions is still being established by the police.

Following the July 21 ambush and the killing of policemen in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Lozande said that state security forces are disposed to retaliate and harass ordinary farmers and civilians.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/November/30/topstory5.htm