Pesante-Update

Isabela activist dies after being shot

Manila- News sources reported that Madonna Castillo, 32, succumbed at around 6:30 p.m. to three gunshot wounds to the stomach and feet sustained when she was attacked around 8 a.m. in front of the Isabela State University. She was also the secretary general of Anakpawis-Isabela and Danggayan Dagiti Mannalon iti Isabela-Echague municipal chapter. The group is affiliated with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) that condemned the killing.

This spate of killings occured after the US-RP military exercises "Kapit-Bisig" was announced to be held in the Luzon area. More than 110 activist have been killed this year since Arroyo launched her alll out offensive or "Total War" against the NPA.

Her companion, a certain Maricris Valdez, was unhurt, police also reported. KMP sources reported that Castillo, already in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Isabela Provincial Hospital, managed to identify the gunmen as “from the 502nd Infantry (Brigade)” of the Philippine Army. The KMP also rpeorted that Castillo’s identification of her killers was made in the presence of several radio reporters who taped her statement.

The KMP spokesman Carl Ala said he was also to talk briefly with Castillo at the hospital.

Castillo became prominent in the province when she condemned the brigade for alleged human rights abuses, graft and other excesses. Over the radio, she also criticized Capt. George Domingo, brigade spokesman, over summary killings activists blamed on the Army.



This is the fifth prominent activist leader who was killed in the province. A Cordillera tribal leader Marcus Bangit was also killed in Isabela. Earlier Elena Mendiola and Ricardo Balaoag of BAYAN MUna were also slain. Later Ilagan Mator Delfinito Albano was assasinated in Metro Manila.

The spate of killings came after General Hermogenes Esperon was promoted toA FP Chief, General Romeo Tolentino promoted to Army Chief and General Palparan was promoted to NOLCOM chief,. NOLCOM where the area of the killings were located, also includes Central Luzon where a lot of activist has been missing, killed publicly or being harasses by the military..

***********