Group condemns killing of Bayan Muna leader in Davao

MANILA, Philippines - Rights group Hustisya on Tuesday condemned the killing of a village official who trooped to the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao City to protest the non-delivery of goods in Pablo-affected towns.

"We are filled with anger with the killing of Cristina Jose. We condemn those who felled her in as much as we have condemned the government who further aggravated the suffering of the typhoon victims," Hustisya secretary general Cristina Guevarra said.

Jose, barangay kagawad of Binondo, Baganga municipality, Davao Oriental was shot dead around 6 p.m. Monday after attending a barangay session.

Jose was a leader of Bayan Muna and also a member of Barug Katawhan, the organization formed by Pablo victims who demanded not only food and relief but accountability to government agencies such as the DSWD due to the non-delivery of much-needed relief.

Jose was among the typhoon survivors who went to DSWD in Davao City and staged a three-day camp-out.

Jose arrived back in their community when she and all those who participated the camp out in DSWD were harassed by the barangay captain and soldiers belonging to the 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, according to Hustisya.

"They demanded food and justice, but they are harassed and even killed. We demand justice for Jose, and to the typhoon survivors who have been resilient against the government’s blatant negligence and ineptitude towards their plight," Guevarra said.