Cops hit for inaction on Bulacan couple’s slay

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Farmers’ groups have denounced the police’s alleged lack of interest in solving the case of two of their members, who were killed over what appears to be a land dispute in San Juan del Monte, Bulacan.

“Days have passed since Roger Vargas and his wife Lucila were shot dead, but the police have yet to issue any report or update on the case,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) secretary-general Antonio Flores said on Friday.

KMP and another farmers’ group Tanggol Magsasaka lambasted the municipal police for its alleged failure to investigate the crime.

The Vargases were members of the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng San Isidro and Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan.

Flores said the victims were beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and were awarded a certificate of land ownership for a property in Barangay San Isidro.

The property is reportedly being claimed by a political family from Ilocos.

The couple figured in a spat with men identified with the family a day before they were shot dead on Sept. 19.

“We were informed that it took the San Jose del Monte police six days to record the incident in the blotter,” Flores said.

He said the police cited the absence of a complainant for not immediately recording the incident.