Ex-Bayan coordinator shot dead in Camarines Sur

MANILA, Philippines — A former regional coordinator of the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Bicol was gunned down in Naga City, Camarines Sur yesterday.

Neptali Morada, who was working for Camarines Sur Vice Gov. Fortunato Peña, was driving his motorcycle when he was attacked by a lone gunman in a white pickup in Barangay San Isidro at around 7 a.m., according to initial police reports.

The victim was hit in various parts of the body and died at the scene.

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes confirmed that Morada was also a former Bayan campaign officer.

 ”We are outraged over his death. He is the third activist killed in Bicol in the past three days,” Reyes said.

In a related development, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said he wants proof that Nelly Bagasala and Ryan Hubilla, who were gunned down in Sorsogon City on Saturday, are members of human rights group Karapatan.

Albayalde said Karapatan could be taking advantage of the killing to put the government in bad light.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regional office deployed a quick response team to investigate the killings.

“The kilings have been continuing... but there is seemingly no proactive action... to protect human rights activists from another brash attack,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said. – Janvic Mateo