Pesante-USA Condems Killing of Youth leader in Cagayan

Los Angeles -- Cagayan, the northernmost province of Luzon has become a valley of death for activists as a 19-year-old youth leader became the third militant in a month to be killed in the province.

Sangguniang Kabataan chair Nelson Asocena, a member of the youth group Anakbayan and the peasant group Kagimungan, was shot dead in an attack allegedly by six men in military uniform on Dec. 13 in Rizal, Cagayan.

Pesante-USA vehemntly condemn the fascist terror Kiling. Asocena was the third militant leader to be killed in Cagayan within a month and the 802nd in the Philippines since 2001, based on records of the human rights group Karapatan. More than 800 activist, leaders, and ordinary members of people's organizations and their familes had been killed since 2001 when Arroyo assumed presidency in the Philippines.

Reports of his death did not immediately reach Manila due to the remoteness of his village, according to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, with which Kagimungan is affiliated.

Another farmer leader survived an attack even as police were yet to pin down suspects in the past three slayings— Asocena; Anthony Licyayo, chair of Kagimungan, on Nov. 28; and Joey Javier, former Kagimungan chair, on Nov. 11.

Roque France, one of five people being hunted down by military according to the KMP, was shot in the foot at 8:30 a.m. Sunday while on his way to the rally against Charter change set by militant groups in Cagayan.

The 64-year-old France was attacked just outside his home in Cabiraoan, Torkia, Gonzaga, but was in stable condition as of Sunday afternoon. France is the newly elected chair of Dagup Igurut Asosasyon.

“The spate of killings and harassment do not stop. The military knows the northern base of the masses is solid so they are trying to attack that,” KMP information officer Carl Ala told the Inquirer over the phone.

Asocena’s siblings told the KMP that they saw six soldiers approach their house in Barangay San Juan, Zinundungan Valley, Rizal, and ask for a drink at around 10:30 p.m.

Asocena went out to bring a pitcher of water and glass for the uniformed men. When the youth leader headed for the door after clearing the glasses, the men shot him repeatedly, the KMP said, citing interviews with the siblings who saw the incident from the window.

The men reportedly fled toward the camp of the Army’s 21st Infantry Brigade in Barangay Bural, Zinundungan Valley.

“Nelson is the youngest of four siblings, married and has a child … If Gloria (President Macapagal-Arroyo) thinks that we will back down because of the killings, she is mistaken,” KMP deputy secretary general Willy Marella said in a statement.

Aside from France and the two Kagimungan leaders who were killed last month, three KMP leaders in Cagayan—Pasciano Payay, Albert Himmiwat and Vilma Mangili—were under surveillance by the military, according to the group.

KMP's Carl Ala said Cagayan had now joined the roster of areas with most militant members killed. These are Central Luzon, Bicol and Southern Tagalog.

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