Rally in Tuburan to denounce slay of Bayan leader

Militant groups will stage an indignation rally in Tuburan this afternoon to condemn the killing of Bayan Muna local leader Allan Villacencio and to air their demands to the local government for the pullout of the 78th Infantry Battalion detained in the area.

Bayan chairman Jaime Paglinawan said that they will have their march this afternoon in Tuburan to condemn the death of their fellow leader and air their demands for the pullout of the troops detained in the place. "They have not done any good for the people in Tuburan and have not solved the insurgency cases of the place. Instead they have created for residents an atmosphere of fear," Paglinawan said.

He revealed that based on their investigation, some members of the 78th IB were allegedly seen passing by the house of the victim on December 24 as if conducting a surveillance on Villacencio before the incident happened.

"A lot of residents had seen them that they were there that is why we are pointing at them as the assailants. Villacencio's wife can identify them if there would be a line-up that will be made by the authorities," Paglinawan said.

Meanwhile, Terry Amamag-id, acting chairman of Nakamatikod (Nagkahiusang Maguuma sa Tuburan Alang sa Kalamboang Demokrasya), also revealed that after the incident, they received threats that some leaders will suffer the same fate that Villacencio endured.

"Some of us have already moved out from the place after receiving information from residents they heard these soldiers talk on a list of the leaders that would be dispatched (killed)," Amamag-id said.

That is why we are calling for the pullout of these troops because the place will never be peaceful if they will continue to stay in the area. We want them out," she added.

On the other hand, Central Command spokesperson Jefferson Omandam said that there is no basis yet for the progressive groups to accuse the military as the ones responsible for the crime.

"We are government of laws and not men, ang ila man gud pasanginlan ka dayon without any basis. They have to give our law enforcers their time to capture the real culprits. If this involves the military, then we are willing to cooperate," Omandam said.

On the lineup of 78th IB soldiers that the militant groups are planning to ask, Omandam said that the only agency that will have the power for that request is the Philippine National Police. "We will cooperate with the policemen whenever necessary. Whatever demands they will ask will be granted," he said. - Jasmin R. Uy