Alleged militant killed in Sorsogon City

By Ronron
April 16, 2007

An alleged militant group member was killed on Monday morning in Sorsogon province by an unidentified gunman for still unclear reasons.

Police identified the victim as Willy Jeruz, 43, a resident of Barangay San Juan Roro, Sorsogon City.

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) spokesman Carl Ala said Jeruz is an organizer of the Samahan ng Magsasaka sa Sorsogon (Samasor), an allied organization of KMP and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

But Supt. Formoso Argarin, Sorsogon City police chief, said Jeruz does not belong to any political organization like Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, and others, quoting an affidavit of his wife, Adelina.

“We still could not identify the motive, although I have received reports that he belongs to a certain organization. I am still checking on this,” Argarin said in Filipino in a phone interview.

“According to the wife, there was no threat against his (Jeruz) life,” he added.

Jeruz was shot at around 7:10 am by a lone gunman while he was watering the plants in front of his house.

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds that caused his death upon arrival at the Sorsogon Doctor’s Hospital at said city. Police recovered nine empty shells of a caliber 45 at the crime scene.

Argarin said prior to the incident, the suspect, who was wearing a ball cap and a pair of sunglasses, had breakfast at a small eatery beside Jeruz’ house. After hitting his target, the suspect fled aboard a motorcycle.

“The owner of the eatery can identify him,” Argarin said of the suspect.

Without citing concrete proof, Ala said the suspect is a member of the Philippine Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion. The military denied the allegation and suggested to wait for the police investigation to wrap up.

“The KMP and Karapatan-Sorsogon condemns in the highest form the brutal killing of Willy Jeruz… Willy is the 49th victim of extrajudicial killing in Sorsogon since GMA (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) assumed office (in January 2001). He is the 63rd KMP leader killed during the same period, and the 843rd overall,” Ala said.

“The death squad is all out again in their attacks against us because they know the KMP’s votes for the victory of Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela is very decisive,” he added.

The Sorsogon City Police is continuously investigating the case for its resolution, said Argarin./DMS