Accountability

“There is no other group who has the blood-thirsty desire of silencing and neutralizing our leaders and members, especially the ones who are effectively organizing and mobilizing the people against the anti-poor policies of the Arroyo administration but the very institutions who swore to serve and protect the people and yet, are the same ones killing democracy,” said Arman Perez, regional coordinator of Bayan Muna- Central Visayas.

However, Col. Jesse Dellosa, the commanding officer of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army released statements claiming that they should not be implicated in the murder of Auxillo since the killing is allegedly a result of personal grudges.

The Alimaong group also released a certification last June 17 to the KARAPATAN team stating that Diola has been suspended from the organization due to his alleged involvement in the crime.

The Philippine National Police in Bein Unido, led by a certain Romeo S. Teruel, also conducted their own investigation. In their report released last June 19, 2007, they were able to interview the father of the suspect, Pompeyo Diola, who told the police that while “Larry” was still living in their house in Anonang, Inabanga, Bohol, he was allegedly a “collector” of the New People’s Army (NPA) and that they used to accommodate NPA members in their house.

The elder Diola also confirmed that his son was imprisoned at 16 years old for arson. He also said that Larry joined the NPA after his release.

But the human rights group, KARAPATAN and local leaders of Bayan Muna in Bohol reiterated their findings that there are many facets in the crime that would prove that the motive is not due to personal vendetta.

“The cold-hearted nature of the murder, the circumstances surrounding the relationship of the victim and suspect, and prior incidents indicating threats to Mayong’s life coming from state security agents led us to believe that there is a political motive to the killing. Maybe Col. Dellosa is the suspect’s spokesperson. He was so quick to point out that Larry killed Mayong due to personal reasons, even before conducting an investigation,” said Dennis Abarientos, secretary general of KARAPATAN in Central Visayas.

Abarientos also pointed out that extra-judicial killings occurring in Bohol are suspiciously being categorized immediately by the military and the police as personal in nature. He said this is consistent with the usual line of the military every time they are being implicated in the increasing number of political killings.

“Every time there is a political activist who was killed, they (the military) either say that the NPA did it to one of their members or that it was the result of a personal altercation among friends or neighbors. This is the easiest way for them to wash their bloody hands off the case,” Abarientos declared.

John Ruiz III, provincial coordinator of Bayan Muna-Bohol challenged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Bohol to conduct a man-hunt operation to capture the suspect.

“We know the extent and capability of the intelligence network of the military. If they really have no knowledge of the crime, they should use their resources in capturing Diola, even if he is one of their assets. We only hope that when they do, they will not shield him from the law as they did to suspects in previous killings of militant leaders in Bohol. At the end of the day, justice must be served.” Ruiz warned.

The body of the slain peasant leader would be buried on June 26, 2007 in his hometown in Trinidad, Bohol.

It was his last request that he be interned and buried in the land where he was one with the struggle of the farmers, where he was fondly known as “Mayong Mag-uuma” (Mayong the Farmer).(Bulatlat.com)

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