of the Philippines the criminal justice system is - Article 2

However, Fr. Geremia was informed that his name and those of his staff
are still mentioned in interrogations of suspected NPA’s, and that he is
still under surveillance, albeit more discreetly. Fr. Geremia stated that
the probable reason why he and his colleagues and staff were suspected
of being NPA supporters was their constant monitoring of human rights
violations and providing legal assistance to suspects detained by the
military. In fact, with their aid, some of these suspects filed countercharges
against military officers, such as Major Ruben Agarcio, Lt.
Eduardo Manukan, and Col. Cesar Idio of the 25th IB. Fr. Geremia
requested the Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation to
look into the threats against him and his staff, and the reason for the
surveillance on them.
Apart from their oral testimony, the aforementioned witnesses also
presented their written statements together with supporting documents.
The affidavits of other witnesses, namely Gregorio Alave, Mary Grace
Dingal, and Rea Ligtas, were submitted to the Commission. Due to lack
of time, however, they were no longer called to deliver oral testimony.
Gregorio Alave, the younger brother of Maricel Vigo, claimed to have
seen a certain Toto Amancio in the scene of the crime a few minutes
before the shooting of the Vigos. Amancio is said to be a notorious gunfor-hire
connected with powerful local politicians whom Alave did not
identify but insinuated to be the Piñols. Despite his information, the
Task Force Vigo created by the provincial government to investigate the
Vigo killings accused a certain Dionisio “Jek-Jek” Mandanguit as the
gunman. Alave, however, claims that this is not possible because
Madanguit belonged to the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine
Army and was in the company of the CIDG long before the Vigo killing.
“ ?”
what kind of
government would
allow these killings
—Erlinda L. Natulla,
Manila
Vincente Barrios: Gunman walks out on murder plan
On 10 June 2006, at around 9:30pm an armed man wearing a
balaclava forcibly entered the house of union leader Vicente
Barrios in Purok 2, Valencia, Barangay New Alegria, Compostela,
in Compostela Valley Province. According to witnesses, the man
who entered the house was carrying a rifle while a companion
served as a lookout outside. Barrios and his wife were in their
bedroom at the time. Two other relatives were also inside the
house, and they panicked and ran towards the room where Barrios
and his wife were located when they saw the gunman. However,
the gunman also turned and fled the house.
Barrios had earlier also been threatened. He was once hit with
a sling shot pellet while riding on a motorcycle on his way home
and had been threatened with guns shown to him while at work
in the the banana packing plant of the Fresh Banana Agricultural
Corporation in Compostela. Prior to the June 10 incident, Barrios
had also been warned by one of their union members that he
had heard of a plot to kill him.
Barrios is president of Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa
Farms (United Workers of Suyapa Farms). The threats against
him could be related to a case filed against the management of
the Fresh Banana Agricultural Corporation with the Department
of Labor and Employment for non-payment of living cost
allowances, holiday pay, service incentives and non-wage
benefits.
35
VICTIM: Vincente Barrios
INCIDENT: Attempted killing
ALLEGED PERPETRATORS:
Two wo unidentified gunmen
DATE: 10 June 2006
AHRC UA-191-2006
article 2 • February 2007 Vol. 6, No. 1 53