Sonny on vigilante killings: Tom besmirching grandpa's ideals

Former senator John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña has accused his cousin, Mayor Tomas Osmeña, of destroying the ideals allegedly protected and advanced by their grandfather for seemingly tolerating the vigilante killings in Cebu City.

Sonny, in a statement sent to The Freeman, defended the United States' intervention into the series of summary killings in Cebu City saying that the concerns raised by the US are not only legitimate concerns of a democratic nation, but a valid worry for a "parent nation."

He said his grandfather Don Sergio Osmeña was a partner of America in nurturing the then "fledgling democratic republic" and stood for democracy and human rights in 1951.

"It is ironic that a direct descendant destroys the ideals passionately protected and advanced by his forebears. These killings remind us of the Marcos dictatorship," Sonny said.

Sonny said the mayor will be held directly responsible for the summary executions in Cebu City as soon as these issues are finally brought before the international community. Sonny added that even President Gloria Arroyo cannot wash her hands of it.

The US embassy has already started conducting an inquiry into the spate of vigilante-style killings in Cebu. In fact, Vice Consul Rachel Wolfe, who also serves as political affairs officer of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, was in Cebu last Tuesday and Wednesday to inquire about the vigilante killings.

Wolfe met with Commission on Human Rights regional director Alejandro Alonso, Alex Tolentino of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The US diplomat asked them if the government was behind the summary killings. - Fred P. Languido