Aklan militant leader gunned down
Aklan militant leader Fernando Baldomero received death threats before he was gunned down by an unidentified man yesterday at Brgy. Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan.
Baldomero, provincial chairperson of Bayan Muna in Aklan, was also a councilor of Lezo town.
His death is said to be the first extra- judicial killing of a militant leader under the Aquino administration.
Kalibo Police Station chief Aden Lagradante said Baldomero was shot in front of his house while he was about to bring his son to school at around 6:30 a.m.
“The gunman apparently waited for him. He was about to bring his son to school, on board a motorcycle, when he was shot,” he said.
The victim’s son witnessed the incident but the gunman did not hurt the boy.
The triggerman then boarded a waiting motorcycle driven by his companion, who was wearing a crash helmet.
The ancestral house of Baldomero, a rebel returnee from the New People’s Army, was lobbed with a grenade last March.
He also received a death threat through a letter.
Aklan Police Provincial Office Director Epifanio Bragais Jr. said that after the election, Baldomero has not reported of any threat on his life.
“After the election, medyo humupa ang threat sa kanya at ang request for security. So, he was not given an escort,” Bragais said.
Investigators are looking at the angle of personal grudges as the motive of the killing.
Bragais said it could be something to do with his previous connection with the NPA, adding that those responsible for the grenade-throwing might also be the same persons behind the killing of Baldomero.
“Parang isang grupo kasi decisive ang mga taong ‘yun kaya ngayon ‘yung realization ng kanilang purpose (to kill Baldomero),” he said.
Brig. Gen. Gerardo Layug of the 301st Infantry Brigade said although Baldomero is a militant group member, he was never and is not a target of the Philippine Army.
“The police is conducting the investigation. I’m sure they are looking at all angles in this killing. So, we have to wait for the result of the investigation before we could conclude the manner and what type of killing is this,” Layug said.
