Military vows justice for slain Mangyan leader

MANILA, Philippines - The military has vowed justice for a slain Mangyan tribal leader who actively pushed for development programs in his community.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said on Tuesday that they would work closely with authorities probing the death of Ariston Mameng, who was shot dead last July 20 in Oriental Mindoro.

“We will extend all the necessary support in putting the perpetrators behind bars. We will exert all efforts to support the PNP (Philippine National Police),” Burgos said in a press briefing.

“We really condemn the perpetrators (of the killing). The (victim) was a partner in peace and development undertakings of the Armed Forces and other organizations,” he added. 

Burgos said Mameng’s death is a huge loss since the latter served as a communicator of the concerns of Mangyans.

“He (Mameng) did not think of anything but the welfare of Mangyans,” he said.

Burgos said they would continue the projects started by Mameng while running after the armed men behind his death.

“We have increased coordination with them (victim’s family) and strengthen monitoring and intelligence collection so the investigation can prosper,” he said.

Mameng was gunned down by 10 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Sitio Yunot, Barangay Nasukob in Bulalacao town.

The armed men barged into Mameng’s house and seized him before shooting him four times.

Mameng was head of the Mangyan Community Affairs and was involved in various projects intended to improve the lives of the indigenous community.

These programs included the construction of school buildings, livelihood projects, electrification programs, and the construction of access roads.