5,000 to join protest against killings of human rights group members in Naga City

LEGAZPI CITY – Around 5,000 activists from Bicol were expected to join the protest rally and caravan in Naga City on Wednesday morning, to seek justice for the killings of current and former members of a human rights group and a militant group in the region.

Vince Casilihan, spokesperson of Bayan Bicol, said militants from across Bicol would join the protest caravan dubbed “Kilos Bikolano Laban sa Tiranya,” to be held at the Plaza Quezon around 9 a.m.

Bayan Muna Party List Rep. Isagani Zarate would lead the protest, which would also be attended by members of militants and human rights groups of Bayan, Karapatan, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and Gabriela, among others.

Casilihan said Zarate, together with Danilo Ramos alias Ka Daning of KMP, also visited the wake of slain former Bayan Muna Bicol leader Neptali Morada in Barangay Carolina in Naga City.

Morada, former Bayan Muna leader in Bicol and a staff member of former Camarines Sur Vice Gov. Fortunato Pena, was gunned down by still unidentified gunmen on Monday in Barangay San Isidro, Naga City.

The killing of Morada happened just two days after two staffers of Karapatan, senior citizen Nelly Bagasala and senior high school student Ryan Hubilla, were gunned down in Sorsogon City.

On Thursday, New People’s Army Sorsogon Vice Chairperson Edwin “Ka Dupax” Dematera, was also killed by arresting officers in defense after he allegedly fired at them in Magallanes town in Sorsogon. (Editor: Leti Boniol)