Since January 2007
Samar mourns for its
8th victim of murder, politicians’ raid yield high powered ammo
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
February 20,
2007
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
After a lull of some two weeks in the series of killings, Samar is
once again mourning the loss of one Honorable Vivencio Ellantos, 49 a
municipal councilor of San Jose de Buan town, some 60 kilometers from
the capital town of Catbalogan , Samar.
Capt. Jose Mario
Chico of 8th Infantry Division based in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar confirmed the report of the 46th Infantry Battalion stationed in San
Jose de Buan but did not release details pending upon verification of
the army.
DYMS Reporter Lady
Camelot, whose sources come from San Jose de Buan, said that the
incident happened on February 19, at
5:00pm. The victim was murdered in his very home. Said councilor
has been known for his strong stand against the leftist group in his
town located in a remote and hilly terrain at the heart of
Samar Island.
The Catbalogan Cable
TV Media Advocates Nucleus (CCATMAN) in the daily radio program "Panginano-a
Daw" over DYMS discussed that the killing has been the 8th since Agoy
Daclitan was liquidated by alleged NPA death squad in the crowded
Imelda Park in Catbalogan.
Like Daclitan the ANAD
coordinator, Daram Mayor Benito Astorga, Doming de Luna and others, a
.45 caliber pistol has also ended the life of Ellantos. Hitmen were
described to be young and precise in their movement for a kill,
witnesses told the media. Witnesses though could not positively
identify the criminals as they moved and escaped swiftly.
Samar has been hurting
with the loss of unnecessary lives. Others relate the killings to the
coming elections while others believe these are still unfinished
business to quell the legal front of the leftist groups.
Catbaloganons have
just united on Friday for Prayer for Peace and Justice Rally which was
well attended. Organizers have prayed doubly hard for the Samareños to
expel and denounce the culture of violence pervading in the province.
Observers have reason
to believe that politics is behind the killings. Previous police
intelligence reports showed that some politicians in
Samar maintain private armies.
In a related
development, Police Region 8 Deputy Director Gen. Teodorido Lapuz lV
and Samar PNP Director PSSupt. Asdali Idja Abah presented to media
assorted firearms seized from the house of Gandara Town Mayor
Antonieto Cabueños on Thursday evening (February 15).
The raid was conducted
by a composite police team from the Regional Office through a search
warrant issued by Judge Efren Abando of the Hilongos Regional Trial
Court in response to the government’s effort of pursuing loose
firearms and partisan armed groups (PAG) maintained by some
politicians.
As fear grips the
entire island of Samar, another unconfirmed report said that another
mayor in Samar has been apprehended in a checkpoint in Metro Manila with
high-powered arms. Authorities though have yet to verify the report.