MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday denied allegations by militant groups that members of the military were behind the killing of Italian priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio.
Brigadier General Eduardo del Rosario, commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service, belied allegations of leftist groups that the paramilitary group called “Bagani” was behind the killing of Tentorio.
“That is very unfair, inaccurate, and I can say that this incident has to be investigated and whoever is responsible must be punished immediately,” Del Rosario said.
Del Rosario clarified that the term “bagani” does not refer to an organized group but it is a lumad word referring to a noble warrior or peace keeper. Del Rosario said that lumad tribesmen enlisted as local paramilitary forces, or Cafgus [Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units], may want to be called “bagani” by locals since they are the peacekeepers of their villages and were fighting against rebel groups like the New People’s Army (NPA).
Del Rosario further said that these lumad Cafgus were the least likely suspects behind the death of Tentorio since the priest was highly respected and well-loved by locals.
“Sa report na nakukuha natin, he was a strong advocate against illegal mining activities. He was also active against criminalities so maaring maraming angulo na dapat nating alamin at maimbestigahan bago tayo magbigay ng more accurate conclusion regarding the group responsible for the death of Fr. Tentorio (Based on the report that we received, he was a strong advocate against illegal mining activities. He was also active against criminalities so we have many possible angles to look into and investigate before we can give a more accurate conclusion regarding the group responsible for the death of Fr. Tentorio),”
Del Rosario said.
He added that Tentorio’s anti-crime and anti-mining advocacies are among the angles that authorities must look into since he might have stepped on several toes of businesses and criminal elements.
Tentorio, who has been a working as a missionary in Mindanao for over 30 years, was killed by unidentified gunmen on Monday outside a church in Arakan, North Cotabato.