Charges withdrawn vs. 2 civilians linked to killing of Italian missionary

Government agents have withdrawn the criminal complaint against two civilians charged for the killing of Italian missionary Fausto "Pops" Tentorio in October 2011 following the release of findings of a Department of Justice (DOJ) panel that revisited the case.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, head of the investigating panel, said Wednesday the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed this week a motion to withdraw the complaint for murder and attempted murder pending before the North Cotabato Provincial Prosecutor's Office against brothers Jose Sultan Sampulna and Dima Sampulna.

The six-member panel cited statements from witnesses pointing to lack of evidence of complicity of the Sampulna brothers in the crime.

Instead, the panel composed of prosecutors and NBI agents ordered the filing of a new murder complaint against a dozen suspects, including Lieutenant Colonel Joven Gonzales and Major Mark Espiritu, and alleged members of the Bagani Special Force, a paramilitary group.

Also recommended for prosecution were Jimmy Ato alias “Ian Mateo” and “Jimmy Intar;” Roberto Ato alias “Roberto Ato” and “Roberto Intar;” Jan Corbala alias “Johnny Corbala,” “Jhon Corbala;” “Jun Karbala,” and “Kumander Iring;” Nene Durado alias “Nene Dorado;” Kaing Labi; Joseph Basol; Edgar Enoc; Romulo Tapgos; William Buenaflor; Alias “Katong and several unidentified individuals including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducting a “bayanihan” activity near the Arakan Central Elementary School on the day Tentorio was killed. 

Tentorio was shot dead on October 17, 2011 inside his parish in Arakan town in Cotabato. Students and teachers attending a flag ceremony at the Arakan school reportedly heard gunshots and later saw the suspected gunman walking away from the church compound.

"It was highly improbable for the military personnel not to hear the gunshots which were heard by several witnesses situated inside the school," the investigation report stated. "The inaction of the military personnel before and after the gunshots were fired reveal their complicity to the killing of Fr. Pops."

The report also said Corbala, who is a military asset, told Durado, Labi, Basol, Enoc, and Bayawan in a meeting that the military wanted Tentorio killed because he was a supporter of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Robert Ato, Jimmy Ato, Jan Corbata, with an unidentified motorcycle driver, and Nene Durado, with two companions on board another motorcycle, took part in the execution of the plan to kill Fr. Pops, on October 17, 2011, at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Compound,” the panel said.

The panel, however, ruled out any political angle in the death of Tentorio, who was popular among the indigenous peoples since the 1980s for his livelihood projects, education and support for campaigns against militarization.

“You have no reason to kill a person who is not a combatant. It is plain murder,” Ong said.

He also assured the family of the Italian priest, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), that justice will be served.

"Justice may be slow, but one thing we promise is that we will give justice for the death of Fr. Pops. How long it may take? We cannot control everything," Ong said.

Ong's team came into the picture after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed the panel in March to conduct a reinvestigation. The probe was carried out from May to November. 

Previously, the Administrative Order 35 Special Oversight Team formed during the Aquino administration recommended further investigation, citing lack of sufficient evidence necessary for conviction. —KG, GMA News