Pardon of 3 convicts in Favali murder pressed

COTABATO CITY — The Catholic community in North Cotabato has urged Malacañang to release three less dreaded people convicted of killing Italian missionary Tullio Favali instead of Edilberto Manero, the real triggerman, and younger brother of equally notorious Norberto Manero.

The younger Manero, in an interview by Catholic station dxND in Kidapawan City last week, said he is optimistic of getting a pardon soon.

Fr. Peter Geremiah, also a member of the Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions, where Favali belonged, said neither Edilberto nor Norberto, should be released from prison.

Geremiah, coordinator of the Tribal Filipino Program of Catholic diocese of Kidapawan, said the duo are feared not only for their criminal tendencies but also for their ruthlessness on civilians supporting rebel forces.

Geremiah said instead of releasing Edilberto, the government should pardon Rogelio Bedaño and siblings Severino and Rudy Linis, all serving prison terms for the death of Favali.

Geremiah, speaking on behalf of the Kidapawan diocese, said the three convicts were not the real killers of Favali.

Even residents of Tulunan, hometown of the Maneros in North Cotabato, are worried of the possible release from jail of Edilberto, said to have killed more persons than his brother, Norberto while still commander of a dreaded militia band in the area.

Geremiah said he has requested Justice Secretary Hernando Perez to investigate the earlier pronouncement of Edilberto that he had complied with all the requirements for his pardon and that he expects to be freed soon.

Edilberto had been tagged as the one who shot Favali with a caliber .30 Browning Automatic Rifle in the head at a road junction in Barangay La Esperranza in Tulunan on April 11, 1985. — John Unson