By TARA YAP
ILOILO CITY — The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Panay has decried the killing of a farmer leader in Sibalom, Antique last Thursday.
Bayan-Panay deputy spokesperson Bryan Bosque identified the victim as Vernel Mondreal, who died from multiple bullet wounds inflicted by two motorcycle-riding men.
Mondreal was said to be the head of the human rights desk in Barangay Igpanolong.
He was killed following the arrest of 11 residents and farmers in Igpanolong and two neighboring barangays last April by the Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion (61st IB). They were allegedly tagged as NPA members while Mondreal was following up their cases.
Bosque said that Mondreal’s death came less than a month after nine members of the indigenous peoples (IPs) group called Panay Bukidnon were killed in police raids in Tapaz, Capiz and Calinog, Iloilo. They were also tagged as NPA rebels and supporters and were allegedly killed after they resisted arrest for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Bayan Panay is also concerned for those in Aklan.
“We couldn’t let another bloodbath happen again. We appeal to every local government unit and other concerned individuals in Panay Island,” Bosque appealed.