‘No vigilantes involved in Mindoro kidnap-slays’

Justice Undersecretary Jose Calida virtually ruled out yesterday that anti-communist vigilantes had a hand in the abduction-killings of two human rights activists in Oriental Mindoro early this week.

Calida, who heads a five-man panel investigating the incident, said soldiers believed behind the abduction, mauling and intimidation of certain residents and barangay officials in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro last April 20, could have seized and killed activists Eden Marcellana and Eduardo Gumanoy.

"There are allegations that it was perpetrated by a vigilante group, which we are not buying because members of the vigilante group don’t hide their identities. They don’t use ski masks and vigilante groups will always have a leader; in this case, no leader has surfaced," he said.

"We believe the same people who were involved in the April 20 (incident) were also involved in the killings," he added.

Calida said they have already identified at least five suspects. He refused to name them, saying they are still building up the case.

He added that they have eight witnesses who would be placed under the Witness Protection Program.

"We believe that in a short time we will be able to crack the case. We have a confidential report which we are giving to the President," he said.

This developed as Armed Forces chief Gen. Narciso Abaya has ordered the relief of Col. Jovito Palparan, commander of the Army’s 204th Infantry Brigade, whom militant groups have linked to the abduction-killings.

Palparan was temporarily transferred to the office of Maj. Gen. Efren Abu, chief of the 2nd Infantry Division, which has control of the 204th IB. Col. Juanito Gomez, Palparan’s deputy, was named acting commander of the 204th IB.

Abaya clarified though that Palparan, whom militants have also accused of committing human rights violations, was merely transferred to pave the way for an impartial investigation into the killings.

President Arroyo directed the inquiry a day after the bodies of Marcellana and Gumanoy were found in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro.

Marcellana was secretary-general of the militant group Karapatan-Southern Tagalog, and Gumanoy chaired the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan.

The two, along with three companions — Francisco Saez, Melvin Jocson and Virgilio Catoy — were abducted by at least 20 ski-mask wearing men who claimed to be members of the anti-communist vigilante group Alsa Masa, along the highway in Naujan town last Monday.

The following day, the bodies of Marcellana and Gumanoy were found. Both bore gunshot wounds.

Their three companions later surfaced after reportedly escaping from their abductors.

Calida said the activists went to Gloria town last April 20 for a fact-finding mission. They were fired upon and abducted on their way home the following day.

Palparan has been recommended for promotion to brigadier general before the Commission on Appointments. But Senate President Franklin Drilon has moved for the suspension of his confirmation proceedings.

Palparan has denied the accusations against him. "If asked to explain, I would do so. I was just doing my job," he said. — With Benjie Villa