Farmers’ groups condemn killing of Mindoro peasant leader

MANILA, Philippines — Peasant groups under the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) and Magsasaka party-list yesterday condemned the fatal ambush of a farmer leader and wounding of his wife by two motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Fatima, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

FFF chairman Leonardo Montemayor said Gerriel Tadeja was on a tricycle with his wife when they were attacked by the gunmen late Saturday.

Montemayor, a former agriculture secretary, said one of the suspects, identified as Recto Banzon Isidro Jr., was captured by police in Mamburao town.

The Tadejas were on their way home to Barangay Alacaak in nearby Sta. Cruz town.

Argel Joseph Cabatbat, Magsasaka party-list chair and FFF legal counsel, urged Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to order the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police to conduct a thorough investigation.