4 transport leaders killed in 2012 - Piston

MANILA, Philippines — There have been killings of transport officials in the past couple of years, four of whom came from the ranks of militant transport group Piston, one of its officials said on Wednesday.

Piston national president George San Mateo said that in 2012 alone, four of their officials had been slain.

On Mar. 30, 2012, armed men gunned down Felix Cultura, president of Federation of Van Services in Butuan City while Ernesto Gulpo, head of the Gasak - Divisoria Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association was killed inside his home in Malabon on May 6.

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San Mateo said that Jing Tebelin, vice president of Divisoria-Baclaran Jeep Operators and Drivers Association, was killed on June 9 while Feliciano Infante, president of Piston-Pampanga was shot dead at the Pandan terminal in Angeles City on September 3.

He said the latest killing of Rogel Fernandez, a former national coordinator and spokesperson of Pasang Masda, is the second slaying of a transport official this year.

On December 10 this year, Anthony Inopiquez, secretary general of Stop and Go Coalition, was killed in his office in Rodriguez, Rizal.

"Nababahala kami sa paglala ng culture of impunity sa ilalim ng Aquino government. Hanggang ngayon walang napapanagot," San Mateo said.

Fernandez, 45, was ambushed by motorcycle riding gunmen on the night of December 22 while he was driving along Regalado Avenue in Lagro, Quezon City.