Ilocos Sur archbishop, priests condemn ambush-slay

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — Archbishop Edmundo Abaya and priests of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia in Ilocos Sur have expressed their outrage over last Thursday’s ambush-killing of the provincial auditor and his driver, and urged authorities to "leave no stone unturned" in having the killers arrested and brought to justice.

In a letter address to the faithful, Abaya and Fr. Vicente Avila, president of the Nueva Segovia Priests’ Assembly, also offered their prayers and condolences to the families of slain auditor Agustin Chan Jr. and his driver, Alex Regacho.

"We, your archbishop and priests in the archdiocese, are outraged at the ruthlessness of the murder and are saddened by such utter disregard for life. We deplore the use of violence against human life which makes life so cheap and debasing," they said.

The two Church officials asked "the government and the military to leave no stone unturned until the vicious perpetrators and the minds behind this despicable crime are arrested and the full extent of the law is applied to them."

They urged witnesses to come out, and the authorities to extend adequate protection to them. "We are aware of the risks involved but unless brave witnesses come forward, this kind of crimes cannot be stopped," they said.

They also challenged the courts to "swiftly administer justice" and the media to be "vigilant."

Chief Superintendent Arturo Lomibao, regional police director, visited the province yesterday and conferred with members of the "Task Force Chan," headed by Senior Superintendent Dominador Ventura.

Probers have lamented the lack of witnesses to the killing.

Meanwhile, the opposition Partido ng Masa (PnM), in a statement, also urged authorities to exert all efforts for the early resolution of the case.

Opposition spokesman Jesus Crispin Remulla asked the Commission on Audit to make public documents and reports in Chan’s possession during his stint as Ilocos Sur auditor, to determine the mastermind of the ambush-slaying.

"This would immediately give us a clue on who would benefit most in the event of Chan’s sudden death," he said.

"We believe that this is no ordinary killing as this is a clear attempt to prevent Chan from reporting the truth behind alleged malversation of funds by past officials of the province," he added.