Police files administrative charges against CAFGU men in Salay over Gandinao killing

By Ronron
March 20, 2007

Police on Tuesday filed an administrative charge against members of a Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment in Salay, Misamis Oriental over the killing of Sichi Gandinao last March 10.

Task Force USIG Commander Chief Supt. Geary Barias said during the weekly media forum at Camp Crame, Quezon City that the TF Force USIG - Region 10 filed the case before the Office of the Ombudsman – Region 10 in Cagayan de Oro City.

Charged for alleged violation of Section 3-F of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act are Corporal Apang Abdul Muner, assistant detachment commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion in Salay, and his two personnel.

“The case that will be filed today… is because of their inaction to the request of the daughter and husband of Sichi Gandinao … for help,” Barias said.

Barias disclosed that the CAFGU detachment was located only about a hundred meters away from the place where Gandinao was shot dead.

Gandinao, 56, was walking with her daughter, Elda, and husband, Ancilmito, along the barangay road of Guinalaban village in Salay at around 3pm of March 10 when an unidentified gunman approached her and opened fire.

The suspect escaped on foot.

The Left-leaning party-list group Bayan Muna claims that Gandinao is their member, while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said she is an asset of the military.

Gandinao’s sister, Divina, told police, however, during the initial investigation that as far she knows, Sichi is a member only of the Misamis Oriental Farmers Association.

Since Gandinao is not a member of the militant group, Barias clarified that the killing of Gandinao is not really under the TF USIG’s scope of investigation. But he is pursuing the case, nonetheless, as chief of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM).

“Apparently, the CAFGUs failed to respond. We call that under our law as nonfeasance. Failure to take action is equally a criminal offense,” Barias explained the filing of case against the para-militarymen.

Violation of Section 3-F of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act carries a penalty of imprisonment for six years and one day, up to 15 years, and perpetual disqualification from holding any government position, he said.

Barias admitted, though, that there is no suspect yet pinpointed in the ongoing investigation. “At this time, Task Force USIG is still gathering evidence to pinpoint the suspects in the killing of Sichi,” he said.

TF USIG is currenlty investigating 118 cases of extrajudicial killings of militants and 26 cases of journalist killings./DMS