ANAKPAWIS LEADER KILLED IN DAVAO

www.sunstar.com.ph

Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Militant group to stage rally for member's slay

ANAKPAWIS, a militant group representing the urban and rural poor, will be spearheading an indignation rally in Mawab, Compostela Valley Wednesday to condemn the murder of their municipal coordinator, Ranbert "Alvin" Placencia.

Placencia, the militants say, is the 750th victim of extra-judicial killings since 2001.

"The bloodbath continues and there is still no sign of respite. The cold blooded murder of Placencia is a barefaced manifestation of Arroyo's brand of stifling dissent -- a policy that has so far claimed the lives of more than 700 political activists," Anakpawis regional spokesperson Editha "Inday" Duterte said.

Placencia and his co-workers at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-- Ariston Carciner and Alvin Polinio--were riding a motorcycle on their way to work last September 4 when 7 unidentified armed men in fatigue uniforms blocked them somewhere in Purok 8, Sta. Monica, Nuevo Iloco, Mawab.

According to Carnicer and Polinio's joint statement, a man armed with submachine gun and pistol held the victim and took his wallet and cellphone while the other suspects pulled them out of the motorcycle, poked guns on their heads, and told them to stay in a corner.

The suspects then accused Placencia of preventing the extraction of mine veins in a mine tunnel in San Isidro before he was shot dead.

Anakpawis calls on the local government unit of Mawab, Compostela Valley to expedite the investigation of the case of Placencia.

"We also urge the provincial government of Compostela Valley to come up with effective measures that will uphold people's rights," Duterte said. (BOT/With press release)

For Bisaya stories from Davao . Click here.

( September 13, 2006 issue)

© Copyright 2002 - 2006 Sun.Star Publishing, Inc.