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Charges filed vs DOLE Sec, Tarlac Rep & Jose Cojuangco

HACIENDA LUISITA, Tarlac City (Jan. 14) — The families of victims of the November 16 violent dispersal of Luisita picketers that led to a massacre, formally filed cases against the perpetrators. Among the accused were Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Sec. Patricia Sto. Tomas, Tarlac Rep. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Jose “Peping” Cojuanco.

The cases include assault of the picket line, multiple murder, frustrated multiple murder, and destruction of properties, among others.

In an interview, KARAPATAN-Tarlac Spokesperson Emil Paragas said around 165 victims and their families trooped to the Office of the Ombudsman in Manila on Nov. 13, and 35 of them formally filed cases. While the filing of cases was in progress, a protest was staged outside the gate of the said government office. The protest was supported by militant groups from the National Capital Region like Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Kilusang Mayo Uno, League of Filipino Students and the Promotion for Church People’s Response.

Another caravan happened on the next day. Paragas said, the purpose of the said activity was to talk with the officers of the International Committee on Red Cross. Members of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) were among the potential witnesses for the said cases. # Joel A. Capulong for NORDIS

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