Kin of slain Agusan dad fear for their lives

STA. JOSEFA, Agusan del Sur, Philippines  – Family members of a councilor here, who was shot dead during a fiesta celebration last May 16, have expressed fear for their lives after police allegedly failed to provide them security despite their request.

The daughter and son of slain councilor Gregorio Otacan Plaza Sr., 54, told The STAR that local policemen did not provide them security during the wake and until their father was buried.

“At first, the police here even failed to record in the blotter the murder of my father and one of the investigators allegedly took the mobile phone owned by one of the hired assassins,” said Plaza’s daughter Marjorie.

“The cell phone is now missing. I don’t know if they are inutile or what; I am confused by the turn of events,” she added.               

Meanwhile, Councilor Mansueta Salise admitted that she also received death threats before and after the killing of Plaza.

Three suspects – Rolando Entic Duyan, 30; Luisito Ybañez Entic, 30; and a teenager – were arrested for Plaza’s killing but the mastermind remains scot-free.

The Plazas have asked President Aquino and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to step into the case.

“What we fear is that a fall guy will be presented as the mastermind while the influential and powerful suspect will go after us,” Marjorie said.

Plaza and Salise had called for an investigation into the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs and gambling in Sta. Josefa.