Manhunt ordered for labor leader’s killer

President Arroyo has ordered an "intensified manhunt" for the suspected killer of a labor leader who was assassinated in February last year.

Mrs. Arroyo ordered the manhunt after a certain Roger dela Torre, also known as "Ka Roel," was finally tagged as the gunman of Filemon Lagman, who was shot pointblank in broad daylight inside the campus of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City.

Lagman, younger brother of former Albay representative Edcel Lagman, headed the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino.

He broke away from the mainstream leftist labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno and formed his own group after differing with comrades on strategy in carrying out their political struggle against the government.

Lagman was suspected of leading the urban communist hit squad Alex Boncayao Brigade.

Mrs. Arroyo made the announcement yesterday during a Labor Day ceremony at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, marking the 100th anniversary of the trade unionism in the Philippines.

"I was told there is a witness to his killer. Hopefully, justice would be served because this is a right that all people deserve," she said. "So even if we do not share the same beliefs, everybody deserves the protection of their human rights, and that includes the serving of justice to his murder."

Mrs. Arroyo issued the order to Interior Secretary Jose Lina Jr. whose department oversees the Philippine National Police.<