Kin of slain Iloilo activist holds protest to mark his 2nd death anniversary

Photo from Facebook page of Jory Porquia

ILOILO CITY—The family and colleagues of slain Bayan Muna Iloilo City coordinator Jose Reynaldo “Jory” Porquia decry the lack of justice two years after he was gunned down.

“It’s been two years since Jory Porquia was assassinated by unidentified men, premeditating the series of killings of activists during the militarized lockdown. His death has remained a mystery, no investigation from the local police – seemingly an intention to silence and bury his death through time,” Porquia’s son Lean said in a statement issued on April 30.

Lean said they continue to demand justice for his father and other victims of extrajudicial killings.

Masked armed men shot dead Porquia in his rented hut in Barangay Sto. Niño Norte in Arevalo District in Iloilo on April 30, 2020 while the city was under COVID-19 lockdown.

He died from nine bullet wounds, including one in the back of his head. Two years after his killing, no arrest had been made and no suspect had been charged.

Porquia, a prominent youth leader on Panay Island who was twice detained during the Marcos dictatorship, was among leaders of progressive organizations who were repeatedly Red-tagged.

“If Jory was alive today, he would’ve been in the streets and communities actively organizing and campaigning for progressive candidates and the agenda for change,” he said.

In a statement, Bayan Muna said they continue to grieve for Porquia as they demand justice.

“We must put an end to a regime that kills activists and critics of Duterte,” the partylist group said.

Family members, friends and colleagues gathered at the Gegato-Abecia Chapel and Columbarium in Iloilo City on Saturday where a Mass was held.

Progressive organizations later held a protest in front of Camp Gen. Martin Delgado, the Western Visayas police headquarters, demanding the arrest and prosecution of those involved in Porquia’s killing.

But the protesters were ordered to disperse for having no permit to hold the rally.

/MUF