7 rebels charged for mayor’s killing

CAMP ADDURU, Tuguegarao City — Seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were charged here with murder for the killing of Mayor Jesus Sebastian of Jones, Isabela two months ago.

Chief Superintendent Dominador Resos Jr., Cagayan Valley police director, said the Isabela police filed the murder charges over the weekend against the communist rebels whom authorities held responsible for Sebastian’s slaying last April 22.

Aside from murder, also charged with robbery in band in the Jones-San Agustin Municipal Circuit Trial Court were Victorio Tesorio alias Ikoy and Satur, and Remedios Dawag alias Rosa and Ilay, both residents of Jones town; Rolando Busania and four others identified only as Ka Soliman, Ka Jean, Ka Arnel and Ka Eden.

The seven rebels belong to the NPA’s Benito Tesorio Command which earlier had claimed responsibility for Sebastian’s killing. Resos, however, admitted that the authorities have yet to arrest them.

Earlier, the Regional Peace and Order Council had put up a P450,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Sebastian’s assassins.

Sebastian, a lawyer, was shot dead by four men inside the municipal hall on April 22, minutes after attending the regular Monday morning flag-raising rites in front of the town hall.

The other rebels acted as lookouts and ransacked the mayor’s Nissan Urvan of a grenade launcher, three M-16 Armalite rifles, two .9 mm pistols and a caliber .45 revolver.

Hours after the incident, the Benito Tesorio Command, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the 57-year-old mayor’s killing but denied having looted his vehicle.

The NPA command said a "people‘s court" had sentenced Sebastian to death for alleged human rights abuses, graft and corruption and involvement in illegal logging. The mayor’s family and supporters had denied the allegations.