Death Squad Kills 97^th Victim in CL

BY ABNER BOLOS

Gitnang Luson News Service / Bulatlat

Posted 4:15 p.m.  May 15, 2006

San Fernando City—In a killing that bore the trademark of what militant groups call “death squads,” Manuel Nardo, 40, Bayan Muna (People First) coordinator in barangay (village) Quebiawan, San Fernando City, Pampanga died Sunday night.

Joy Caluco, 18, an eyewitness and a close friend of the victim’s family told GLNS he saw two men on board a motorcycle with no license plates talking casually with the victim before one of the assailants shot him in the back of the head and several times in the body at about 9:30 pm, May 13.

“Magka-akbay pa sila habang nagkukuwentuhan. Ilang minuto lang at naunang lumakad si Mang Manuel paakyat sa mababang pader nang barilin siya sa likod noong kausap niya,” (They even had their arms around each other’s shoulders while talking. After a few minutes Mang Manuel walked ahead to climb the low wall when the person he was talking to shot him in the back of the head and several times in the body), Caluco said.

She said the assailants even called the victim’s name to entice him to go out of the video store before they killed him.

Roman Polintan, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Central Luzon (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) said the killing bore the trademark of the notorious death squads that have killed scores of leaders and members of organizations in the region since last year.

Polintan said Nardo is the 26^th Bayan member assassinated this year and the 97^th victim either of killing or involuntary disappearance in Central Luzon since 2005.

Last year, 52 members or leaders of Bayan in the region were killed and seven were abducted and remained missing. Since January of this year, 26 have been killed while 13 were abducted, Polintan said.

The victim’s wife, Blessie, 44, said her husband had no personal enemies and his death may be part of the attack against militant organizations.

Other witnesses said it was drizzling on that night and there were no people in Nardo’s store except his family and a few neighbours.

Nardo was shot in front of the video store about 100 meters from the Macarthur highway. The store is located along the road leading to the San Miguel Corporation compound.

Witnesses said the assailants calmly boarded their motorcycle and left in the direction of the highway. Bulatlat

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