The man they called ‘Ka Boss’

Death has long stalked former congressman Fausto Seachon, 64, fondly called "Ka Boss" by his constituents in Masbate.

On May 2, 2004, Seachon survived an ambush attempt in Kawayan, Masbate. Two weeks earlier, his younger sister, now Rep. Rizalina Lanete, was also a target of an ambush by gunmen in Matugnao Village, Pulaan, Masbate.

Seachon and his sister escaped unharmed, but four of their men were killed in the attacks.

Last Sunday evening, death finally caught up with Seachon.

Gunmen shot and killed him while he was with friends in Caloocan City.

Seachon, considered as a political kingpin in the third district of Masbate, began his political career when he ran and became the mayor of Pio Corpus town from 1980 to 1995.

He was also a three-term congressman for the third district from 1995 to 2004.

During the last national elections, he ran for governor, but lost to incumbent Gov. Antonio Kho.

His sister, however, won the congressional seat for the third district.

"Ka Boss is still considered a strong political leader in Masbate," Pedro Sepulveda, his brother-in-law and one of his political advisers, told The STAR.

During the wake at the Funeraria National along Araneta Avenue, supporters and friends of Seachon began arriving to pay their respects to their "Ka Boss."

Among those who arrived were members of Masbate’s Espinosa family, who also lost relatives in the cycle of violence hounding the province in the last several years.

Sepulveda refused to speculate on the motives for the killing, saying their family is leaving the case to the police.

"No speculation at this time," he said.

Sepulveda said other relatives from the US are set to come home for the wake and burial.

He said the place and date of burial will be announced as soon as all family members arrive within the week.Among the possible burial sites being considered are in Cebu or Masbate.

Seachon is survived by his wife Edith, daughters Jeneza, Viviette and son MacJohn, the mayor of Esperanza town.