IBP Is 75% done with Probe: Lawyers say they have IDs of vigilantes

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) claims to be doing a better job at trying to solve the puzzle on vigilante killings as the president of the Cebu City Chapter says they are close to wrapping up their investigation into the summary executions, which started almost two years ago.

This as the police reportedly continue to face the proverbial blank wall in their investigation into the over 160 executions whose victims are mostly people with shady pasts.

IBP Cebu City president Alex Tolentino said that they have already identified the mastermind and the alleged hit men, who are responsible for the spate of killings. They even have pictures of these people, he said.

The lawyer said that a police official, who has knowledge about the people behind the killings, is helping them in their investigation along with an investigating body. He however refused to name the official and the investigating body helping them, but pointed out that the IBP already has in its possession some pieces of evidence and continue to work to gather more.

"More or less naa na mi nahibaw-an kinsay mga masterminds, kinsay mga leaders, kinsa nang mga vigilante killers, naa na mi idea kinsa ni sila, naa na mi mga ngan, naa na mi mga pictures, nahibaw-an na namo kinsa ni sila," Tolentino said over radio station DYLA during an interview yesterday.

According to Tolentino, they have identified about six to eight vigilantes operating in Cebu. He likewise refused to reveal their names until the IBP shall have gathered the necessary evidence against them and is ready to file the case.

Tolentino also refused to give any hint if these vigilantes are civilians, law enforcers or police assets so as not to jeopardize their continuing investigation.

"Dili ko makasulti kon civilian or assets, let it remain hanging. Basta naa na mi idea kinsa nagpaluyo niini, kinsa ang mga tawo niani, unsay mga nawong nila, nahibaw-an na namo," Tolentino added.

He also did not give any hint on the identity of the alleged mastermind, whether he or she is a public official. So far, Tolentino said they still have to do something to be able to build up a solid case against these people.

"Ang reason dili pa ta makareveal kon unsa until nga dunay concrete nga evidence ug nga dunay madakpan usa or duha nila," Tolentino said.

"Just stay put, we are doing something about this and hopefully we can get to the bottom of this as early as possible. We are acting like a worm slowly we are moving towards the solution of this problem," he added.

At least two of the families of the victims have reportedly coordinated with the IBP. Tolentino said, they might be initiating the filing of the murder charges against the people identified to have been responsible in the vigilante-style killings before the Ombudsman or National Bureau of Investigation.

Tolentino's admission that they might be bringing the matter before the Ombudsman could be an indirect admission that the people behind the summary executions are public officials or employees.

On the other hand, Tolentino said the IBP will be making representations with the newly created Melo Commission, tasked by Malacañang to look into the political killings in the country.

Tolentino said the vigilante-style killings in Cebu should be included in the investigation of the Melo Commission. He said the IBP is willing to furnish the commission headed by retired Supreme Court justice Jose Melo of the evidence that they have gathered.

"Kung mahimo iapil ni, before the ASEAN Summit, moanhi dinhi ang mga kadagkuan sa ubang nasod nga manganhi dinhi motuki bahin sa human rights violation, unya dinhi sa lugar sa sugbo naa dinhi ang human rights violation," Tolentino said.

"Any extra judicial killing is putting a bad light to our nation they should also focus on other killings nga wa mag-agi sa hustisya," he added.

A political affairs officer from the United States Embassy in Manila recently visited Cebu to inquire about the human rights abuses including the vigilante killings and the killing of Bantay Dagat project director Elpidio "jojo" de la Victoria.

Commission on Human Rights regional director Alejandro Alonso said that U.S. political affairs officer Scott Billard met with him last August 16 at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

"He wanted to discuss with me about the human rights situation in Central Visayas, the killings of journalists, political killings, human rights activists, members of militant organizations, case of Jojo de la Victoria, case of Tony Oposa, ug mga vigilantes, we discussed everything because the United states of America is concerned about this," Alonso also said over DYLA.

Cebu City Police Office acting director Melvin Gayotin welcomes the development announced by Tolentino.

He said that he welcomes it in spite of the negative remarks that the IBP have issued against the city police yesterday.

Gayotin told reporters that the IBP is free to choose which government agency it will seek assistance from on this matter in reaction to a statement of Tolentino that the city police force is sleeping on these cases.

"Kaniadto pa ta nagsige og sulti nga makaduol sila bisan sa CIDG ug sa NBI." Never the less, the CCPO will still try to coordinate with the IBP and is willing to help in the investigation.

"How can we coordinate if ni-issue na sila og statement that they will not come to us, but we will try, we will ask our Homicide investigators to approach them to reach out," Gayotin said.

The vigilante killings started on December 22, 2004 and as of today, 167 people have been listed as victims. Most of them were former convicts for robberies, theft, drugs and snatching.

The latest victim has been identified as Rosonel Pansacalan, who was gunned down last August 18 in barangay Busay, this city. He was out on bail since last year for a robbery case.

The assailant was describes to be 5'7 tall and of medium build. The witnesses could not make out the face since it was covered with a piece of cloth.- with Edwin Ian Melecio/NLQ