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3 February 2010
In line with its investigative mandate and its current monitoring of instances of election-related violence, the CHR, through its Sub-Office in Pagadian City (Pagadian Sub-Office), has commenced an independent parallel investigation of a spate of killings in Zamboanga del Sur. This investigation is separate from that being conducted by the police authorities in the province.
CHR initiated its investigation on 18 January 2010, when the group of Vice Mayor Wilson “Kitty” M. Nandang of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, called the CHR’s attention to separate, successive incidents resulting in the deaths of at least three (3) of Vice Mayor’s supporters. Vice Mayor Nandang is running for Municipal Mayor of Labangan in the 10 May 2010 elections, under the Liberal Party (LP).
The killings also raised the concern of Senator Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas, both as a Senator, concerned with the possible escalation of violence leading up to the elections, and as LP President, saddened by the loss of supporters and members of the party. Senator Roxas, in a letter to CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima dated 28 January 2010 , asked for CHR’s intervention through its investigative and monitoring functions.
Considering that the victims are supporters of Vice Mayor Nandang and LP members and supporters, the CHR assured Senator Roxas that it would update his office of the developments in the investigation. However, the true motives behind the killings still cannot be definitely ascertained at this point.
“We are, of course, looking into the possibility that these killings may be politically motivated, especially since it’s so close to the elections. We must address the issue of election related killings. Failure to address this problem and allowing this to become the norm leads to impunity. This must be stopped,” said Chair Leila de Lima. “But, at the same time, we must also look at all other possible angles to find out what is truly behind these incidents,” added the Chair.
Aside from reasons potentially related to the upcoming elections, the CHR is also determining whether the killings are related to an ambush, which occurred on 22 August 2008 , where six (6) people were killed and several others were wounded, including personnel of Vice Mayor Nandang. Involved in the ambush incident were PNP officers and personnel of Zamboanga del Sur, some of whom are now facing criminal and administrative charges.
Chairperson de Lima has particularly expressed her curiosity as to why the victims of the killings are persons clearly identified as supporters of Vice Mayor Nandang. “We need to know why the strongest connection among those who have been killed appears to be their support for the Vice Mayor,” said the CHR Chair. “It’s unlikely that this is just a coincidence. If the Vice Mayor is the real target here, we also have to determine who has singled him out, as well as the reason for this.”