NORDIS WEEKLY
December 12, 2004

 

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Cordillera journalists hit PNP report on Kalinga writer slay

BAGUIO CITY (Dec. 10) — Journalists here urged the the Philippine National Police (PNP) officials from the national and Cordillera levels to refrain from prematurely stating that the culprits in the murder of a Kalinga journalist were already arrested as independent investigators still face a “blank wall” regarding the identities of the perpetrators.

The Guru Press, where murdered Stephen Omaois used to work as staff writer before his abduction and killing on November 26, observed that the pronouncement of PNP Director General Edgardo Aglipay to the national media tend to conclude that Omaois was killed due to a love triangle.

Artemio Dumlao, Jr., chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Baguio-Benguet (NUJP-BB) shared the Guru Press observation adding that the pronouncements by Director Aglipay and Cordillera PNP Director Rowland Albano are nothing but self-serving statements. “It shows the weakness of the PNP’s handling of the case,” he added.

NORDIS learned that two persons were invited by the PNP in Tabuk to shed light on Omaois’ murder. The two are possible witnesses but Aglipay and Albano told media that “the culprits were arrested.”

Abduction

On November 26, unidentified person/s abducted Guru reporter Omaois somewhere in Tabuk, Kalinga. Investigators have not determined the specific place where Omaois was abducted.

A few days after, on December 1st, local residents found his body in front of the Tabuk Central School. Relatives identified the body days later in funeral parlor.

NORDIS learned from local journalists that Omaois was found 20 meters from the garbage bin. It was also learned that the area where Omaois body was found was 70 meters away from the Tabuk Police Station and from the Barangay Hall of Poblacion West of Tabuk.

Tortured to death

When found Omaois body bore torture marks. It was defaced and unidentifiable, residents claimed, and the body also started to bloat.

Medical records showed that Omaois suffered from multiple fractures in the head. Multiple bruises were also discovered on his back, face, and thighs. Omaois’ tooth was avulsed or forcibly removed by a hard object and his right eyeball collapsed.

The probable cause of his death is believed to be the multiple fractures inflicted on his head. He was buried on December 6.

Reasons for murder

The reason for the abduction and killing of Omaois remains to be established by investigating authorities.

The Guru Press, in its statement, suggested to police investigators “to open other possible angles and not to focus on the homosexuality angle,” which had been repeatedly pronounced by Aglipay in national media.

Those who knew Omaois believe, however, that his murder was in relation to his work as a journalist. Prior to his death, he had been instrumental in exposing anomalies in the province, which included a “ghost project” in Pinukpuk town. This could have earned the ire of those in power as he was consistent in writing community issues, residents claimed, and in fact he had been receiving threats prior to his death.

Loss of a talented journalist

Journalists in Kalinga describe Omaois as a promising journalist. He was just 23 years old and had worked for five months with the six-month old Guru Press. Dr. Estefania Kollin, the Guru editor, described him to be intelligent.

Guru Press workers say he is a devastating loss to the province “where writing talent is so rare and very few want to engage in the thankless job of journalism”.

Despite his young age, he was appreciated as a journalist for his professionalism.

“He was murdered and nobody deserves that fate. We strongly demand that justice prevail in this case,” ended the Guru Press statement. # Arthur L. Allad-iw for NORDIS


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