Gabriela seeks probe on slay of member

Gabriela women's party-list is asking the Commission on Human Rights-7 to investigate the brutal killing of its member in Candijay, Bohol last week.

Vida Arcamo, secretary general of Gabriela-Central Visayas, also appealed to CHR-7 to extend financial assistance to the family of Liezelda Cuñado who was shot by an alleged military agent outside her house around 2 a.m. last April 3.

Liezelda's husband, German, also sustained two gunshot wounds - on his right arm and right chest after a certain Joel Bayron allegedly shot them using a .38 caliber revolver.

Liezelda is the second member of a progressive organization killed in Bohol in a span of a month. Two weeks ago, a Bayan Muna member was also shot to death by motorcycle-riding men.

However, military officials have denied that soldiers have nothing to do with the killings of members of progressive organizations who are tagged as connected with the underground movement.

German claimed that before the killing, Bayron had already been sending text messages to his wife accusing her of being a rebel.

Few minutes before the incident, German added that Bayron and his wife went to his house and accused him of stoning the suspect's house. He said that he tried to pacify the suspect and told them to go home but when they came back later, Bayron shot German, but the later was able to run away.

But Bayron vented his ire on Liezelda despite her begging him not to harm her and her family.

German said that although there is personal grudge in their case, he could not believe Bayron, a distant relative of his wife, could kill her. He added that there might be political motive because Bayron has allegedly been meeting with elements of the AFP lately after he was offered to work as agent for the military.

Kaira Zoe Alburo, Gabriela spokesperson, said that there is a systematic crackdown and killings of leaders and members of cause-oriented groups by the Arroyo administration.

Alburo pointed out that Liezelda's case is not an isolated case as many members of the progressive groups have already been killed by elements of the AFP anywhere in the country.

"Across the nation, militant leaders who have vocally criticized the Arroyo administration are being unceremoniously shot and killed, acts as inhuman as their perpetrators and masterminds," Gabriela said in a statement.

The group cited that in Central Visayas, more than 120 women and children have been victimized by the government's attack on people in 2005 alone.

"Apparently, Mrs. Arroyo has become so insecure and desperate that she has to resort to force and even murder rather than face charges regarding her illegitimacy and other crimes against the Filipinos," it added.

Liezelda's family also appealed to the military to surrender Bayron, in case he is in their custody and protection. - Wenna A. Berondo