Another COURAGE Member in Samar Assassinated

BY JOHANN HEIN B. ARPON
Posted Jan. 30, 2007, 2:24 p.m.

Just when the necrological mass for Jose Maria Cui, former COURAGE chairperson of Northern Samar was being held at UEP chapel in Catarman, Northern Samar last January 29, another member of the federation of unions of government employees was gunned down in the busy streets of Catbalogan, Samar.

The latest victim was identified as Dominador L. De Luna, 51 years old, husband of incumbent Board Member Concepcion de Luna of the Province of Samar. He was, at the time of the killing, an employee of the National Food Authority (NFA). Both of them have reportedly been included in the Order of Battle of the Armed forces of the Philippines.

De Luna was shot at Primera st., Pier Uno, Catbalogan while guiding a truck that was loading rice. The gunman, who was wearing a baseball cap, shot him at the nape. The bullet exited at the right side of his face.

Dominador and Concepcion were subjected to a sustained smear and vilification campaign by the military when retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan was still commanding officer of military troops in the region. The couple, active members of Bayan Muna, was accused by the military of being members and/or supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA). Concepcion related that she received a letter last August, 2003 warning her that she would be killed. The letter, with a return address in Pasay City, Metro Manila, was signed by an anti-communist movement which called itself the National Federation Philippine Life Progressive Association. This, she said, clearly indicates that they were targets for liquidation by the military and vigilante groups.

Witnesses said that days before the incident there were unidentified men shadowing the De Luna house. Their neighbors even warned Dominador to refrain from going out.

There is still no official statement from the police. (Bulatlat.com)

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