Do we have to kill our perceived enemies, especially if they are unarmed?
That was the question raised by San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza following the death of nine and the arrest of 17 in Tapaz, Capiz, and Calinog, Iloilo, as the police served 28 search warrants for firearms and explosives today, December 30.
The suspects, who were alleged communist rebels, fired on the policemen serving the search warrants causing them to return fire, the police said.
However, Alminaza said they were Tumanduks (indigenous people) who were red-tagged.
Is this the way we celebrate Christmas as a Christian country about to welcome the New Year and 500 Years of Christianity? Alminaza asked.
The bishop reiterated his call for an end to the killings and for just and lasting peace.
House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate and Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat in a joint statement condemned the Panay killings.
Among those killed were Eliseo Gayas Jr., Mauro Diaz and Artilito Katipunan of Tapaz, Capiz. Reports said that family members of the victims were forced to move out of their respective houses before the victims were shot inside their homes, the Bayan Muna statement said.
Also killed were Reynaldo Katipunan and Mario Aguirre, both members of the Barangay Council of Lahug, Tapaz, Capiz, and Roy Giganto of the same barangay, who was reported to have been earlier abducted by the military, the statement added.
It also said Marevic Aguirre, former Tumanduk chairperson, and a municipal government employee, was missing.
“This is the same modus operandi used by state forces in Negros Oriental in the Dec. 27, 2018 early morning raids when now PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas was the regional commander of the Central Visayas PNP,” Zarate said.
Six farmers were killed then and at least 31 were also arrested then, he said.*