Motorcycle driver tagged as rebel supporter killed

Around 30 minutes before his body was discovered, a member of the Florida Driver’s Association who requested anonymity said Wilfredo Estrebillo arrived at the terminal driving his tricycle at around 7:30 a.m. A man then approached Estrebillo and asked if he could be brought to Barangay Florida.

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO

Bulatlat.com

MANILA — A habal-habal driver, accused by the military of being a supporter of the New People’s Army, was killed in the morning of June 4, 2014 by an unidentified man who flagged him down.

Wilfredo Estrebillo, 41, a resident of Barangay Florida, Kapalong, Davao del Norte was found dead in a secluded area in Sitio Pandulian, Barangay Manantao, Kapalong. He sustained 17 multiple gunshot wounds.

Around 30 minutes before his body was discovered, a member of the Florida Driver’s Association who requested anonymity said Estrebillo arrived at the terminal driving his tricycle at around 7:30 a.m. A man then approached Estrebillo and asked if he could be brought to Barangay Florida.

Estrebillo said he would charge P50 ($1.15) for the ride. But the man said, “Okay, I will pay you P80 ($1.80).”

Estrebillo, married to Rosita, 35, and father to two children, is the 30th victim of extrajudicial killing in Southern Mindanao Region under President Aquino’s administration.

Rosita, wife of Estrebillo, told members of Karapatan – Southern Tagalog that they have received information sometime in April or May this year that his husband was being accused by the intelligence unit of the 60th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army of participating in the arrest of Corporal Rogelio Rosales, a member of the Bravo Company of the 60th IBPA, by members of the New People’s Army.

Rosales was captured by the NPA on May 3, 2014. He was declared as prisoner of war and was soon released and turned over to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte last May 19.

A certain Boyet Indak, a former motorcycle driver, reportedly informed Rico Labajo, also a motorcycle driver, that Estrebillo and five other drivers are part of the military’s hit list. The five others are: Jonathan Colon, Eleazar Batobato, Rico Labajo, Ondo Labajo, Dodong Labajo and Joy Eway.

Rosita said members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives were already examining her husband’s body when she arrived. Later, she told Karapatan – Southern Mindanao Region that a pack of shabu wrapped in a paper was allegedly found in her husband’s back pocket.

“That is not true sir. I can distinguish the things of my husband. He is not a drug user,” Rosita was quoted as saying.

Hanimay Suazo, secretary general of Karapatan – SMR, told Bulatlat.com that Estrebillo is neither a drug user nor a pusher.

“In fact, he is an active member of the Barangay First Action Team as a rescuer. His wife said the shabu was planted. His motorcycle was also missing to make it appear as a common crime and not a political killing and mislead the investigation,” Suazo said.

Rosita, for her part, believes that her husband’s unidentified passenger is a member of the 60th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.

“We condemn the brutal killing of Wilfredo Estrebillo. On the basis of motive, pattern and execution, there is no doubt that it is the handiwork of fascist state agents. Before Esrebillo was killed, he and other habal-habal drivers were threatened by soldiers of the 60th IBPA who accused them of being supporters of the New People’s Army,” Suazo said.

Suazo challenged the Aquino government to end the implementation of his counterinsurgency program Oplan Bayanihan and to resume peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDFP. (https://www.bulatlat.com)

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