San Ildefonso town now a ‘killing field’

SAN ILDEFONSO, Bulacan — Petty crimes are on the decline in this vegetable-producing town, but murders are on the rise.

As of last count, 12 people have been killed while six others have been abducted here in the past six months.

"San Ildefonso has, indeed, become a killing field," said Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros during a Mass in front of the San Ildefonso parish church last Friday.

Hundreds of students, teachers, government employees, and members of various local groups joined the Mass.

"Sa loob ng nakalipas na ilang buwan ay nakarating sa amin ang balita na dito daw sa San Ildefonso ay murang-mura ang buhay ng tao. Sunod-sunod ang patayan, ang pandurukot ng tao, ang pananakit at pananakot, ang pagsunog sa mga tahanan, ang pagbabanta sa mga tao (In the past months, news has reached us that human life is so cheap here in San Ildefonso. There has been a rash of killings, abductions, harassment, torching of houses and intimidation)," Oliveros said in his homily.

As bishop of the Diocese of Malolos, he said he and the Church in general are troubled not only by these incidents in San Ildefonso, but also in the entire Bulacan, prompting him to call the attention of President Arroyo.

But days after he sent his letter to the President on March 6 and after having a personal audience with her, two more persons were killed in Malolos City and this town on March 10 and 14, respectively.

"Ngayon naman kami’y nananawagan sa inyong lahat. Itinataas namin ang aming tinig sa pagtutol sa nangyayaring karahasan lalo na dito sa San Ildefonso. Wala kaming kapangyarihan laban sa dahas kundi ang lakas ng panalangin (Now we are appealing to all. We are raising our voices in protest of what has been happening especially here in San Ildefonso. We are powerless against violence, what we have is only the power of our prayers)," Oliveros said.

He warned those behind the killings that those who live by the sword, die by the sword, and prayed that they return to God’s graces.

Rep. Lorna Silverio, who attended the Mass along with Gov. Josie de la Cruz, also expressed sadness over the situation.

"Paano papasok ang investors dito kung ganito ang sitwasyon (How would investors come in if this is the situation)?" she said.

Earlier, De la Cruz herself condemned the killings and called on the police to investigate them thoroughly.

In response, the Bulacan police created Task Force Lingap and deployed 100 policemen in San Ildefonso starting Thursday, in addition to six military detachments put up across the town.

San Ildefonso Mayor Edgardo Galvez said the detachments are located in Barangays Sapang Putik, Alagao, Pinaod, Baswit, Maasim, and Mataas na Parang.

Based on records of a local human rights group, 12 people have been killed here in the past six months, while six others have been abducted and still remain missing.

The Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao identified those slain as Celestino Illescas, Eugenio Vindez, Armando Leabres, Jess Alcantara, Ricardo Valmocina Sr., Roel Valmocina, Melchor Cardinal, Michael Milanay, Santiago Francisco, Danilo Fajardo, Arnold Pastrana (who was killed last Tuesday), and a certain Jojo.