La Union killings: Victims’ families launch fund drive

SAN FERNANDO, La Union — The families of at least 21 victims of "political killings" in La Union kicked off a fund-raising campaign yesterday to help them hire private lawyers to seek justice.

Joined by more than 500 supporters, Ma. Libertine Asperin, widow of Felimon Asperin Jr., slain election registrar of Bauang town, and her five children, led the victims’ families in launching the campaign at the city’s public plaza followed by a protest march and a Mass officiated by Bishop Artemio Rillera at the St. William Cathedral.

Crisanto Palabay, secretary of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption’s La Union chapter, told The STAR that the proceeds of the fund drive will be used to help the victims’ families in legal fees, traveling expenses and in securing necessary documents.

"There are 21 political killings in La Union, mostly in the second district. Although there is strong evidence against the perpetrators and masterminds, the families of the victims could hardly get justice because of lack of financial (resources for them) to hire lawyers to pursue their cases," Palabay said.

In his homily, Rillera blamed ambitious politicians for the killings.

"I am so sad (that) these (political killings have been) happening in our province. La Union should mean unity, but now there are already several (people) who are followers of Judas and they are murdering innocent people. I have expected this province to be peaceful, but I am so sad that blood (is being shed)," he said. — Jun Elias