| DOJ to reinvestigate the murder of Digos militant leader |
| Written by Eldie S. Aguirre | |
| Wednesday, 18 June 2008 | |
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The Office of the President through the Department of Justice (DoJ) will be in the city to reinvestigate the gruesome killing of ‘Anak Pawis; provincial coordinator Renato Pacaide, sixteen months ago.
Chief Inspector Anthony Padua, Digos City police director has confirmed receiving official communications regarding the arrival of the DOJ team.
Padua said a possible reenactment of Pacaide’s murder will be conducted to help the DOJ team in its effort to solve the crime, aside from examining the records of police actions taken from the time of incident up to the present.
It can be recalled; at about 10:45 a.m. of March 02, 2007 two unidentified men onboard a black DT motorcycle fired a hail of bullets aimed at Pacaide who was waiting a motorcycle-for-hire along the corners of Rizal Avenue and Lim Extension Streets, Digos City.
Pacaide tried to run from the attackers but eventually slumped on the ground, few meters away from the road. He died from four gunshot wounds in the head and chest, the police report said.
The victim was with his daughter and a grandchild when the shooting incident took place.
Chief Supt. Andres Caro, PNP-11 regional director immediately organized ‘Task Force Pacaide’ to conduct a massive manhunt operation against the culprits.
Police Supt. Perpetou Macion, PNP provincial deputy director for operation was named as Task Force Pacaide’ deputy commander
The provincial intelligence group, Special Operations Group (SOG), NBI-11, Provincial CIDG team, and the then, Digos City police director Insp. Cesar Cabuhat were named members of the task force.
The police came up with a composite sketch of the assassin based on the account of the victim’s daughter who witnessed the shooting incident.
Pacaide, 53, a resident of Digos City was the 274th victim of political killing in the country, a militant group said.
Non-government organizations condemned the killing of Pacaide and accused the government, the police, and the military of initiating the assassination plot to silence leaders of militant organizations critical to the Arroyo administration.
The military and the police vehemently denied the allegations.
However, Karapatan Mindanao lashed at the police for jumping into a conclusion that Pacaide’s death has something to do with his attempt to organize a labor union in one of the companies operating in the province.
Pacaide’s wife, Lina said the death of Pacaide could not deter what they have started, especially in airing their grievances against the government
Simplicia Delada, provincial urban poor chairperson said they are not afraid even if all of them would be killed as long as they could air their grievances against the failure of the government to address the basic needs of the people.
Pacaide was the prime mover in the speedy investigation of the ‘Gulane massacre’ in Matanao, Davao del Sur wherein the victims pointed to the military as behind the incident.
He was buried on March 09, 2007 in Digos City.
Meanwhile, Police Chief Inspector Padua in a media interview on Wednesday said they are looking into a possible angle that sparked Pacaide’s killing but refused to reveal its details. (With reports from Nilo Mercado)
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