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Bayan Muna-Ilocos leader assassinated in Baguio City

GMA regime accountable, says CHRA

BAGUIO CITY (Mar. 10) — The busy market atmosphere was silenced by a gun shot. Then, Romeo “Romy” Caccam Sanchez fell dead, killed instantly by a single bullet on March 9, around 5:10 p.m., at 3rd Kayang Street in the city’s public market. The 39 year-old Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Ilocos secretary general and Bayan Muna Partylist-Ilocos coordinator had been looking at second-hand clothes (ukay-ukay or wagwag, locally) for his children.

Two policemen patrolling the area arrived at the crime scene five minutes after the shooting, asking bystanders if they recognized the suspect (s). After 25 minutes, the Baguio City Police cordoned the area, which is in front of the Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop and the Western Union Bank. A string of ukay-ukay stores is located on both sides of the narrow street. Sanchez’s body was later brought to La Funeraria Paz for autopsy and servicing.

Initial medico-legal findings claim that the bullet entered Sanchez’s lower left ear, exiting at his right temple, killing him instantly. The doctor who performed the autopsy said that the firearm was possibly one meter away from the victim. “Whoever did it made sure the victim died”, the doctor commented. The bullet passed through the victim’s brain. A .380 mm handgun was possibly used, findings say.

Sanchez’s companions, who were in another ukay-ukay shop claimed they suddenly heard a loud bang, and found Sanchez fallen and bloody.

A one-day vigil was held at the Cathedral of the Resurrection along Magsaysay Avenue on March 10. An indignation rally led by militant groups here took place on the same day. At around 5 p.m., candles were lit at the crime scene. Sanchez’s remains were later brought home to San Fernando, La Union for the wake. Sanchez is a resident of Cabaroan in San Fernando. The burial will take place on March 23.

Sanchez is survived by wife Elvira, children Arantxa Karizzah, Arianne Karollyn, Romeo Alezzandro, Rosenda Kalayaan, and Angeliz Karynnah.

The CHRA believes that AFP intelligence operatives are directly behind the killing. Also at 5 p.m. on Thursday, the computer portal of Bombo Radyo Baguio reportedly received a message from registering mobile number 09104372988 stating that paramilitary group Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) in Ilocos is claiming responsibility for the killing.

The CHRA appealed to witnesses to forward their statements.

A cartographic sketch of the assassin was released by the city police on March 10, describing the gunman to be 34 years old, fair complexioned, medium built, about 5’4" to 5’5" tall, and spoke in Iloko. The alleged suspect wore a black leather jacket, brown shoes and maong pants.

No ordinary man

Friends and colleagues held a tribute to Sanchez before his remains were brought home to La Union on March 10.

In a statement, the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) said that Sanchez was “no ordinary man” and described him as “a brilliant propagandist, a dedicated organizer and mass leader, and selfless activist of the national democratic movement.”

Since his involvement in people’s issues, he has always been under surveillance, his colleagues in Ilocos said. Prior to his death, he received threatening text messages, one specifically saying “maghanda na kayo, susunod kayo”. Elvira also received threats in her cellphone prior to the killing.

Just on Jan. 6, 2005, Sanchez confronted a group of unidentified men who were looking for him.

Sanchez was one of Abra 14, a group of activists criminalized and tortured in 2000 for alleged involvement in the Conrado Balweg slay. The case was dismissed two months after for lack of proof and evidence.

“Romy suffered extreme torture during their detention”, said CHRA vice chair Beverly Longid. “They were transferred from one military safehouse to another, from Rizal to Bulacan and Manila. Romy’s head was badly injured. After their release, surveillance continued”, she said.

Josephine Perez of the Ilocos Human Rights Advocates (IHRA) said that after the Abra 14 case, harassment and intimidation of members of people’s organizations heightened.

“Sa kabila nito, lumakas and protesta ng mamamayan. Ang balang tumama kay Romy ay di kailanman magpapahinto sa kilusang masa sa Ilocos at Kordilyera”, Perez said during the tribute.

Friend and STOP Ex (Solidarity of Peasants against Exploitation) Secretary General Avelino Dacanay described Sanchez as a person true to his word.

“Di ‘yan nambibitin sa usapan. Isuna ket naragsak a kadwa ken kabsat”. He and Sanchez worked together as broadcast anchors in DzNL then. “We were like brothers. Once, while attending an activity in Baguio, he said he wanted to build a house here to come home to for vacation. He was always thinking of the children and their schooling,” Dacanay said.

Loving husband and father

His widow, Elvira, said that Romy was always firm, telling her not to worry despite surveillance and threats to his life.

“Wala akong masabi sa pagmamahal niya sa amin. Kapag nasa bahay siya, siya ang naglalaba, nagluluto…nagde-decorate pa siya. Halos hindi ko ginagawa iyon dahil siya ang gumagawa”, she said during the tribute.

Romy would always tell the children that it is always better to die fighting for what is just and right, she said. He would always ask forgiveness from the children whenever his work requires long periods away from the family.

“Kapag natanggap na niya ang kanyang alawans, iniaabot niya ito sa akin nang buo, walang bawas. Saka lang siya hihingi para sa pangangailangan niya kapag lalabas na siya”, she said.

Their second child, Arianne, will graduate from elementary on March 30. She said Romy promised to be there on her graduation.

State fascism

What happened to Romy is part of a more systematic plot of the state to suppress the growing militant mass movement, because they cannot handle it anymore”, said CPA’s Joan Carling.

“The increasing cases of cold-blooded assassinations against members of progressive organizations are clear manifestations of the Arroyo government’s desperate moves to silence the growing people’s movement,” the CHRA said in a statement.

According to Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, two Bayan Muna members are either killed or abducted every 10 days. Just recently, Tarlac City Councilor Abelardo Ladera, also a Bayan Muna member, was killed. Bayan Muna National Vice Chair Manny Loste said that Bayan Muna members have become a hunted breed, a favorite target of human rights violations.

Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. asked if there is a government policy to kill activists belonging to Bayan, Bayan Muna and its other allied organizations. “We fear that the military is on a killing spree, shooting prominent leaders of the progressive movement,” he said.

The CHRA maintained that the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime is accountable for Sanchez’s death, and challenged it to “disband the real terrorists, not people’s organizations with legitimate issues and concerns. # Abi Taguba Bengwayan for NORDIS

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