Killings continue: 2 militants found dead in Cagayan river

Two militants, both leaders of the peasant-based organization Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) who had campaigned for party-list group Anakpawis, were found dead, their bodies floating down a river in Cagayan Valley, radio dzBB reported on Wednesday. The report said vendors walking on a bridge near the river, found Arthur Orpilla and Dionisio Battad at about 8 a.m., Wednesday. The two, both 50 years old, are reportedly from Bagunot village in Baggao, Cagayan. Orpilla's body was found with multiple stab wounds, while remains of Battad had gun shot wounds. Carl Ala, KMP media officer said Orpilla and Battad were abducted on March 27 allegedly by soldiers of the 17th Infantry Battalion headed by Second Lt. Johny Calob. On that day, Ala said the two went to a detachment of the 17th IB to report to the military, but they did not come back home anymore. He said the two received numerous threats allegedly from the military before they were abducted. Ala said village residents are required to report to the military in the morning, before they go out for work or other activities and at night, before they go back home. Ala said that prior to this incident, five other peasant leaders and supporters in Cagayan, died through extra-judicial killings. In another report, dzBB said Task Force Usig head, Chief Supt. Gerry Barrias has instructed the police in the region to immediately conduct an investigation on the killings. Barrias, director for investigation and detective management of the Philippine National Police, said he will go to Cagayan to personally assist in the probe. The task force will also coordinate with the KMP to hasten solving the crime. Cagayan, found in the northernmost part of Luzon, is called by activists, the “valley of death." On December 13, 2006, 19-year old Nelson Asucena, was shot dead by six men allegedly in military uniform. Asucena was chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan. He was also member of the youth group, Anakbayan and peasant group, Kagimungan, a local chapter of the KMP in Cagayan. Anthony Licyayo, president of the Gunglo Dagiti Mannalon peasant association, Joey Javier, chairman of the KMP affiliate Alyansa Dagiti Mannalon Ti Cagayan and Domingo Marbella, another KMP member, were also slain in November. - GMANews.TV