Hero's burial for slain councilman

MANILA, Philippines –  A barangay councilman who caught his own killer on camera moments before he was shot dead will be given a hero’s burial today due to his efforts to curb crimes in his community, his family and colleagues in the barangay peacekeeping action team said yesterday.

Reynaldo Dagsa’s mother, Ignacia, 70, told The STAR that barangay officials and Army reservists in Barangay 35, Maypajo, Caloocan City are finalizing the preparations for her son’s burial. Reynaldo himself was an Army reservist, with the rank of corporal.

“My son was very kind. If he did not have money, he would borrow from me to give it to the needy,” she said. “My son was always ready to respond to someone in need, even at night.”

The Dagsa family had a reunion yesterday at their ancestral home along Tuna street, where they discussed Reynaldo’s burial at the Eternal Garden Memorial Park in Balintawak, Caloocan City.

Reynaldo’s sisters – Maria Fe, Rosario and Raquel – told stories of the good deeds done by their brother, who won a seat in the barangay council in the last local elections.

Reynaldo, 38, was a professional photographer who once worked for a television network and a Japanese newspaper. He was also a member of the barangay’s anti-crime group, and police believe it is this affiliation that may have led to Reynaldo’s death.

Richard Belchor and Rodrigo Espina, Reynaldo’s friends, said members of the Pasaway Gang terrorized their barangay by firing their guns and threatening residents until Reynaldo called the police, who later filed charges against Arnel Buenaflor, the gang’s alleged leader.

“Since that time, the Pasaway Gang has vowed to get back at kagawad (councilman) Bong,” Espina said, using the victim’s nickname.

Last night, residents of Barangay 35 held a “luksang parangal” for Reynaldo as part of a series of activities until his burial at 1 p.m. today.

Family asks media: Seek permission first

During yesterday’s meeting, the Dagsa family also discussed the circulation of the photo of Reynaldo’s widow, daughter and mother-in-law, which they claimed violated their rights to privacy.

“We are thankful to the media, particularly television networks, that flashed the family picture. It helped in the arrest of the suspect, but now that he has been arrested, we appeal to any media entity to seek our permission before releasing the photo,” family spokeswoman Rosario Dagsa said.

She said contrary to published reports, they never gave permission for the publication of the photograph, which “is our property. It’s the intellectual property of my departed brother.”

Reynaldo’s widow, Arlene, earlier told The STAR that they gave the picture to the Caloocan police – officials promised it would remain confidential – but were surprised when the photograph appeared in a newspaper.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos said there was no clearance to release the photograph.

Rosario also denied reports that they are planning to submit the picture to the World Press Photo contest.

A friend of the Dagsa family who was present during the meeting said whoever was responsible for the release of the photograph could be sued for damages and violating the intellectual property law.

The family, however, said they are not contemplating any legal action at this time.