Another militant shot dead in Laguna

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — A local leader of a militant group here was gunned down by two unidentified men while he was on his way home in Cabuyao town last Thursday afternoon, police said.

A report reaching Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble Jr., regional police director, identified the victim as Gilbert Hamile, 40, an employee of Storck Phils. Inc.

Doris Cuario, secretary-general of the militant group Karapatan-Southern Tagalog, said Hamile was a board member of the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Bandog Calamba, Laguna, a local chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

Investigation showed that Hamile had just stepped out of the Storck factory and was driving his motorcycle, with his brother-in-law Edwin Panopio riding with him, when he was waylaid along the highway in Barangay Pitlan in Cabuyao town at about 5:20 p.m.

Hamile died on the spot from gunshot wounds in the head and body. Panopio was unhurt.

Police recovered several spent shells from a caliber 9-mm pistol at the crime scene.

The STAR gathered that Hamile had been vocal against the relocation of tenants of a land owned by a prominent family in the Cabuyao-Canlubang area.

Police, however, were still gathering evidence to unearth the real motive behind Hamile’s gunslaying.