Consemino, 4 other shootout victims laid to rest

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna, Philippines - Police Superintendent Alfredo Consemino was laid to rest yesterday in a ceremony befitting a war hero.

Under overcast skies and drizzling rain, Consemino’s body was interred at a private cemetery here with full military honors.

Classmates of “Boy,” as Consemino was known at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) where he graduated in 1986, led the funeral ceremony and hoped that the circumstances of his death would be fully explained.

The widow Susan and her children attended the funeral Mass wearing white shirts emblazoned with “Justice for Supt. Consemino” while his PNPA classmates who also served as pallbearers wore their “blue duck” gala uniform with black armbands.

A large tarpaulin sign with his photo was displayed with the message: “Justice for Col. Alfredo Consemino, Victim of the Checkpoint Massacre.”

Police alleged Consemino and 12 other men in a convoy of two sport utility vehicles ignored the checkpoint and fired at the policemen and soldiers, triggering the shootout in Atimonan, Quezon on Jan. 6.

Environmentalist Tirso Lontok Jr., who was among those killed in the firefight, was also laid to rest yesterday at a cemetery in Dolores, Quezon.

Mourners and members of the Kapatiran at Alyansang Alay para sa Kaunlaran ng Bayan-Quezon (Kaakbay-Quezon), all clad in white shirts, called for justice for their fallen comrade.

The widow Marife and eldest daughter Bianca led supporters in crying for justice for the fallen environmentalist and former Sariaya town official. – With Michelle Zoleta, Ed Amoroso