Luisita union leader buried

Left-wing activists have formed a panel to identify the killers of slain Hacienda Luisita labor union leader Ricardo Ramos, who was buried yesterday, as well as to prove that the military was behind it.

Labor union leader Renato Galang, president of the United Luisita Workers’ Union (ULWU), rejected a police theory that Ramos was gunned down to stop Ramos’ union from reaching a settlement with Hacienda Luisita’s management.

"That’s absolutely not true. Ric and I have always been friends and we had always been united in our stand in the labor dispute with the Hacienda management," he said.

Galang shares the left-wing activists’ suspicion that Ramos’ killing was part of a military-backed campaign against the left.

"One child actually saw five uniformed soldiers position themselves at the same spot where the shots rang out after a few minutes. Two empty shells of M-14 rifle were later recovered at the site," he said.

"It was dark and the child thought it was one of his uncles arriving, so he approached the group but retreated when he realized the men were soldiers in uniforms and had long firearms."

Combat boot imprints were reportedly found at the spot, Galang added. "Residents there do not use combat boots. Only soldiers at a nearby detachment do."

Two Army soldiers questioned earlier by police about their possible involvement belonged to a detachment stationed in Barangay Mapalacsiao, where Ramos was a barangay chairman.

Privates First Class Romeo Castillo Jr. and Rhoderick de la Cruz said they were at their detachment headquarters at the time of the murder.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, which believes the military is involved, has formed a panel to investigate the murder, Bayan regional chairman Roman Politan said.

"We want to be fair so we will also invite the military to cooperate with us," he said.

Hundreds of sugar mill workers and left-wing activists attended the funeral. Ramos was buried at a cemetery in Barangay Parang, which is also inside the sprawling Hacienda Luisita sugar plantation, owned by the family of former President Corazon Aquino.

Although no one from the Cojuangco family attended the burial rites, lawyer Vigor Mendoza, counsel for the management of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT), said in a statement that the Cojuangcos were "deeply saddened by the death of Ramos especially after the successful conclusion of the recent labor negotiations."

Ramos was shot dead by a sniper with an M-14 rifle while having a drinking binge with friends outside his house. Two spent M-14 shells were found at the crime scene.

However, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Castillo and De la Cruz were issued M-16 Armalite rifles, the military’s standard firearm. — With Ric Sapnu, Len Espinosa