Task force to hunt killers of Bayan leader

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — A special task force has been formed to go after the people behind last Tuesday’s gunslaying of the provincial secretary-general of the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

Senior Superintendent Alan Purisima, provincial police director, formed Task Force Doton, headed by Superintendent Noli Taliño, deputy provincial director for operations and concurrent intelligence officer, immediately after Jose Doton, 62, was gunned down in Barangay Camanggaan, San Nicolas town.

Doton was shot thrice, one in the head and two in the chest, while his younger brother, Diosdado, 57, was hit twice in the back but survived.

The assassins used caliber .45 pistols based on six empty shells and a slug found at the crime scene.

The Doton brothers were on their way home on board a motorcycle when they were attacked.

Taliño admitted yesterday that probers were still clueless on the killing, although he said they were exploring all angles.

Taliño vowed to leave no stone unturned for the speedy solution of the case although Purisima did not give them any deadline.

Meanwhile, Elena Mendiola, 54, Bayan Muna’s secretary-general in Isabela, and her live-in partner, Ricardo, who were both gunned down last May 10, were buried yesterday.

Thousands of mourners, led by Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo, paid their last respects to the couple who were laid to rest at the municipal cemetery of Echague town. — With Charlie Lagasca