Bohol Bayan leader slain

A leader of the Bayan Partylist in Bohol was shot dead by two unidentified men at a bridge in barangay Tubod, Danao town, Bohol, yesterday morning.

Bayan Central Visayas vice chairman and Bayan Bohol provincial chairman Victor Olivar was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest and different parts of his body.

Regional Intelligence and Investigation chief Police S/Supt. Augusto Marquez said while Olivar was riding a motorcycle-for-hire with two others he was stopped by two men, who pretended to conduct a checkpoint.

Marquez said that the victim was dragged away by one of the assailants then shot.

Arman Perez, the secretary general of Bayan Muna said that their group is accusing elements of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army of the murder.

"We have received reports already that there will be at least four to six leaders of cause-oriented groups who will be assassinated and we have heard that the 302nd IBPA is training assassination personnel (sic)," Perez said.

Perez said that the leaders and the officials of the 302nd IB met last week in a peace forum dialogue organized by Bohol officials after several months of friction between the said groups.

Officials of the 302nd IB denied they are training men to execute leaders of cause-oriented groups.

Meanwhile, Central Command spokesperson Lt. Col. Jefferson Omandam yesterday told The FREEMAN that Bayan should not have accused the 302 IB of the murder as the investigation is still going on.

"Ilaha ra nang pasangil. Let the law enforcer investigate the case and file charges, mura pud silag huwes ana nga silay motudlo ug kinsay nagpusil," he said.

Omandam further stated that they will continue on their operation to secure the area as mandated by the law. - Norvie S. Misa and Jasmin R. Uy/BRP