Murder rap filed vs military officers, et al. over Fr. Tentorio slay

Italian priest Fausto “Pops” Tentorio. PHOTO FROM BARUG KATUNGOD

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Central Mindanao on Monday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a criminal complaint against military officers and several others for the death of Italian missionary Fausto Tentorio six years ago.

Facing a complaint for murder are Lieutenant Colonel Joven Gonzales and Major Mark Espiritu, and several members of the paramilitary group Bagani Special Force.

Also named in the complaint are Jimmy Ato alias “Ian Mateo” and “Jimmy Intar;” Robert Ato alias “Roberto Ato” and “Roberto Intar;” Jan Corbala alias “Johnny Corbala,” “Jhon Corbala;” “Jun Karbala,” and “Kumander Iring;” Nene Durado alias “Nene Dorado;” “Kaing Labi”; Joseph Basol; Edgar Enoc; Romulo Tapgos; William Buenaflor alias “WB”; alias “Katong” and several unidentified individuals including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducting a “bayanihan” activity near the Arakan Central Elementary School on the day Tentorio was killed.

Late last year, the DOJ panel led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong withdrew the criminal cases filed against Jose Sultan Sampulna and Dima Sampulna for lack of evidence.

Tentorio, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), was shot to death on Oct. 17, 2011 at a parish in Arakan town in Cotabato.

Ong said members of the Philippine Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion took part in killing Tentorio.

The communist New People’s Army (NPA) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had previously supported the claims of residents and local church workers that the military had orchestrated Tentorio’s murder.

Ong said the new complaint will undergo preliminary investigation to be conducted by a new set of panel of prosecutors. /je