DILG secretary condemns ‘senseless’ killing of Otaza, son

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento condemned the “senseless” killing of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, Mayor Dario Otaza and his 27-year-old son, Daryl in Butuan City on Tuesday.

In a statement, Sarmiento assured that the government will do its best to bring justice to Otaza and his son who were found dead early Tuesday morning, hogtied and their bodies riddled with bullets in Barangay (village) Bitan-agan by the members of Army’s 23rd Infantry Division.

“Kinukundena ng Kagawaran ang walang saysay na pagpaslang ng grupong nasa likod nito upang isulong ang kanilang interes,” said Sarmiento in a statement.

(The Department [of Interior and Local Government] condemns the senseless killing done by the group behind this act in order to pursue its interest.)

“Matitiyak ng ating mga kababayan na gagawin ng pamahalaan ang lahat upang makamit ang katarungan para sa mga sa naulila ng mga biktima,” he added.

(Our countrymen can rest assured that the government will do everything to achieve justice for the family of the victims.)

READ: Anti-communist Agusan mayor, son murdered after abduction

The two were found dead hours after suspected communist rebels abducted them from their Butuan City home on Monday night.

Sarmiento said the abductors of the Otazas allegedly pretended to be National Bureau of Investigation agents, a tactic which had been associated to the New People’s Army rebels.

A former NPA member, Otaza surrendered to the government in 1986 and eventually entered politics.

Since Otaza returned to the government fold, the secretary said Otaza has been active in encouraging communist rebels to leave the armed struggle.

“Naging instrumento si Mayor para masigurong may sapat at kaukulang benepisyo ang mga rebeldeng piniling tumulong na sa pamahalaan sa ligal na pamamaraan,” Sarmiento added.

(The mayor was instrumental in ensuring that rebels who have chosen to cooperate with the government are provided with the necessary benefits.) CDG

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