NBI ordered to dig deeper into Lagman slay case

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday to dig deeper into allegations of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo that police and military officials ordered the killing of 17 left-leaning labor leaders, including Filemon "Popoy" Lagman.

Earlier, President Arroyo ordered a manhunt for a certain Roger de la Torre, who is reportedly a former communist hitman, after police had identified him as Lagman’s killer.

Ocampo and Caloocan City Councilor Nathaniel Santiago, a former militant student leader, met Perez yesterday to present evidence and witnesses to support their allegations.

Ocampo said that since February last year, the Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace has monitored the killing of 17 of their comrades in different regions in the country, including six "forced disappearances," and four cases of torture.

"We’re asking the DOJ to help us in the investigation of these cases," he said. "There are many cases where members of the AFP, PNP and CAFGU are involved. In many instances, the perpetrators could not be identified. But there are some circumstances or evidence that will help the NBI and prosecutors to come up with a strong case."

Army units in Southern Luzon are the suspected perpetrators in 46 percent of the crimes, while 30 percent have been blamed on the police, Ocampo added.

Perez said he assured Ocampo and Santiago that the justice department and the NBI are ready to help left-leaning organizations uncover the truth.

"We want to tell congressman Ocampo and his colleagues that we will act on this matter expeditiously, so that we can give protection to their rights," he said. "Let’s see what we can get. And NBI Director (Reynaldo) Wycoco was asked to help (on this matter)."

Victor Briz, president of Buklurang Manggagawang Pilipino, a labor union which Lagman led until his death, said police authorities must present evidence to show that Dela Torre is not a fall guy.

"We do not consider President Arroyo’s identification of the suspect as a breakthrough until the government has produced the suspect and presented evidence to back up claims," he said.

Former representative Edcel Lagman, elder brother of the slain labor leader, said he agrees with Briz that police should ascertain that Dela Torre was not made a suspect to put to rest the investigation unto his brother’s murder.

"A crime is not completely solved by the capture of the gunman," he said. "The mastermind behind the gun wielder should also be caught, prosecuted and convicted."

Lagman said he hopes Mrs. Arroyo’s order for the immediate capture of Dela Torre is a firm commitment to solve the crime and arrest the mastermind. –Delon Porcalla, Mayen Jaymalin