Rebels kill farmer in front of children

ALABEL, Sarangani , Philippines  – Suspected communist gunmen shot dead a tribesman in front of his three children in their home at Dagohoy Village in Tinaingod, Davao del Norte on Thursday, the chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division said yesterday.

The victim was identified as Efren Obaton, 32, an Ata-Manobo farmer. He was with his children when armed men believed to be operatives of the local terrorist front 35 (LTF-35) and led by one alias “Ian” cut him down with automatic fire.

The killing came four days after a New People’s Army death squad murdered Fernando Timbal, a bank driver in Panabo City, said Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza, 10th ID commander.

In a subsequent statement issued over the name of Simon Santiago, the LTF-35 claimed responsibility for the Obaton shooting and the killing earlier of a soldier, but upon verification as to the identity of the Army man it turned out that he was in fact Timbal.

Holganza lamented both killings, calling them “barbaric and inhuman.” However, it was yet unclear why Obaton and Timbal were targeted by the NPA.

“Killing an individual is an immoral act, but killing a father in front of his children is totally a different crime only the devil can do. The arrogance and evil mindset of these criminals are beyond description,” he said. “We condole with the Obaton family as we vow to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.”

“The long arm of the law will catch up with them and those responsible will pay to the people,” Holganza said in a statement sent to The Star yesterday.

In August, local terrorists also killed militiaman Benito Guzo as he and his wife were about to sleep in their house at Magsaysay town in Compostela Valley. In October, Silvano de las Alas, a farmer of Boston, Davao Oriental, was mistaken for a Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) member and peppered him with bullets inside his house.

In recent months, the insurgents have owned up to several killings in the Davao area involving civilians, soldiers conducting peace and development projects, unwary policemen, unarmed militiamen as well as village and tribal folks.