DAVAO CITY (May 18/Karapatan Southern Mindanao) — Human rights group Karapatan-Southern Mindanao on Sunday said that the the military apparently lied through their teeth when it denied any involvement in the killing of peasant leader Celso Pojas Thursday.
PRESS STATEMENT
May 18, 2008
Last Thursday, gunmen who were riding a motorcycle in tandem shot Ka Celso Pojas infront of the FADC-KMP office in Bugac, Maa, Davao City. The peasant leader died on the spot and the assailants fled quickly. Although the perpetrators remain unidentified, their motives are not difficult to figure out. Ka Celso was a staunch advocate and leader of the peasant movement in Southern Mindanao Region. He was vocal and unrelenting in his criticisms against the government’s neglect of the peasant sector. Lately, he was engaged in a struggle to expose the continued human rights violations of the 10th Infantry Division in the on-going militarization in Compostela Valley.
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/19 May) – More Mindanawons are protesting the appointment of retired Armed Forces chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon as presidential adviser on the peace process.
Esperon is taking over the post held by Jesus Dureza on June 16 when the latter moves to his new post as Press Secretary.
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/19 May) – Land conversion in Bukidnon in favor of plantations for banana, pineapple and other products has become “alarming” but local governments have to yet to enforce their local crop zoning plans six years after the Provincial Development Council approved such policy, an agriculture official said.
TAGUM CITY (MindaNews/19 May) – Fishing in mangrove areas and estuaries as well as using illegal gear in catching freshwater fishes, shrimps and mud crabs are now prohibited here.
Mayor Rey Uy echoed his warning on Friday against violators of fishery laws after destroying and burning 402 illegal fishing gears in simple rites held at the city’s motor pool, in Barangay Apokon.
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/19 May) – Two persons were injured when a homemade bomb exploded just as Eric Bus number 9 was about to enter the gate of the bus terminal along Jose Lim Street at around 6 p.m. Monday.
KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/19 May) – A police officer and a jail warden died while two others were in critical condition after their Honda Civic smashed a 10-wheeler hauler truck along the highway in Matalam, North Cotabato, around 12:30 p.m., Sunday.
