Labor union official killed in Toledo City

CEBU, Philippines - A labor union official at the Carmen Copper Corporation was shot and killed by two unidentified men along the national highway of Barangay Ibo, Toledo City Tuesday evening.

Julito Moneva, 45, of Barangay Awihaw, was onboard his motorcycle and was returning home from work when gunned down.

He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of his body and was declared dead on arrival at the Toledo City Hospital.

Police are clueless whether Moneva, a board member of a labor union at Carmen Copper Corporation, was being followed or his assailants waited for him.

A resident nearby, Roderick Rubin, 21, heard a burst of gunfire coming from the scene.

Police recovered from the crime scene a .45 magazine, six bullets, seven empty shells and a deformed slug.

SPO3 Praxilo Albiso said that Moneva is a friend of William Ligutan, president of Carmen Copper Worker Labor Association (CCWLA), which Moneva is a member.

Chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, Toledo City police chief, said they are now eyeing labor dispute as closest motive for the crime. Carmen Copper Corporation has two contending labor unions.

Ligutan was elected president in the recent election against Tony Cuizon  of the Panaghugpong sa Mamumuo sa Carmen Copper (PAMCC).

But Cuizon's group filed a nullification case before the Department of Labor and Employment against Ligutan.

In February, PAMCC union treasurer Roldan Cansancio was linked to the killing of Rene Embralinag, a ward leader of former senator and now Toledo City Mayor John"Sonny" Osmeña.

Police said the killing could be linked to labor dispute but PAMCC brushed it aside, saying Embralinag was not an employee of the mining company. — (FREEMAN)