MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested an alleged prime suspect in Saturday’s murder of peasant leader Rene Peñas in Sumilao, Bukidnon.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said Alipio Tumangday, a resident of San Vicente, Sumilao, was arrested by Bukidnon policemen in Maluko, Manolo Fortich town just hours after Peñas’ killing.
Although police probers have established personal grudge as a possible motive for the murder, Verzosa ordered a thorough investigation to determine if the attack was connected with Peñas leading mass actions to push the bill on the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program’s extension with reforms.
Citing a report of Chief Superintendent Danilo Empedrad, Northern Mindanao police director, Verzosa said a witness, Samson Dollete, tagged Tumangday as one of three men who gunned down Peñas and wounded him (Dollete) and Eliezer Peñas at around 2 a.m. Saturday.
Dollete, who together with Eliezer was backriding on Peñas’ motorcycle when they were attacked, said it was Tumangday who gave the command before they were shot.
Based on Dollete’s statement, Tumangday was arrested about eight hours after the incident. He will be charged today.
Probers said Tumangday had a serious grudge against Peñas and Dollete who were witnesses in a qualified theft case filed against him by a certain John Calopes.
Tumangday reportedly squats in Calopes’ property adjacent to the land of the Sumilao farmers.
But in a radio interview, lawyer Normie Batula, Balaot Mindanao managing director, said they are not convinced that personal grudge was behind Peñas’ killing.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Sen. Loren Legarda and the Kaya Natin!, a national movement for good governance and ethical leadership, have joined the condemnation of Peñas’ killing.
“These motorcycle assassins would not be so bold if they do not have behind them some powerful interests,” Legarda said in a statement.
“This is an additional proof that the present administration has failed to protect the lives and just causes of our unprivileged masses longing for a better future,” she added.
For his part, Pimentel said it was “unfortunate that (Peñas’) struggle should lead to his death at the hands of assassins, obviously hired by vested interests who were determined to frustrate the noble cause he was fighting for,” he said.
In a statement, Kaya Natin! said Peñas’ murder “is an obvious attempt to harass and sow fear among those (who) continue to fight for the rights of our farmers in our country.”
“We hope that his life will become an inspiration to all of us who continue to struggle for social justice in our country,” the group added.
For his part, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, president of the United Opposition, said, “No one is safe under this administration… These political killings have been more brazen and the targets are known personalities.” – With Dennis Carcamo, Jose Rodel Clapano and Christina Mendez