Task force formed to probe killing of Comelec exec in Aurora

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Police have formed a task force to solve the murder of a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official in Aurora, who had led opposition to the creation of a new town in the province that would be named after the father of a senator.

Insp. Michael Amio, police chief of Maria Aurora town, said he created Task Force Waldo, named after slain town election officer Romualdo Palispis, to coordinate the investigation of the murder case.

Amio said investigators have yet to identify two suspects in the killing.

Palispis’ widow, Sol, on Monday said her husband chaired  Justice and Peace Action Group of Aurora (JPAG) and  Task Force Huwag Hatiin ang Bayan ng Maria Aurora (Do Not Divide Maria Aurora).

Palispis was the second JPAG leader to be attacked after Joey Estriber, a radio host and antimining campaigner was abducted in March 2006 and has never been seen since.

Police have taken the statements of two witnesses, both high school students, who saw two men fleeing the crime scene.

Reports said Palispis was playing a guitar at the veranda when he was shot.

Alfonso van Zijl, executive director of the nongovernment group Bataris, believed  Palispis was silenced to stop a campaign to create a new town out of Maria Aurora to be named after Dr. Juan Angara, father of Sen. Edgardo Angara and Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon