By Bulatlat
Bulatlat.com

A factory worker in Laguna became the 725th victim of extra-judicial killings of activists since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001.

The Southern Tagalog chapter of the human rights group Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights) reported that Gilbert Hamile, 40, a factory worker of Storck Phil., Inc. was killed in an ambush around 5 p.m. afternoon of Aug. 10.

Hamile was with his brother-in-law, Edwin Panopio, riding a motorcycle on their way home to Barangay Bantug, Canluabang, Calamba, Laguna (52 kms. south of Manila) when ambushed upon reaching a country club in Terelay industrial zone, same town.

Gunmen shot Hamile in the head and chest killing him instantly. Panopio was injured but survived the attack.

Hamile was a board member of Pagkakaisa ng Ugnayan ng mga Magbubukid sa Laguna (PUMALAG), the local chapter of the peasant alliance Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Alliance of the Philippines) who supported the farmers fight for land in the 7,100-ha Hacienda Yulo in Canlubang, Laguna.

Hamile is survived by his wife and three children. Bulatlat

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