Soldier implicated in 2005 killing of activist in Bicol gives up

By Ronron
May 3, 2007

A government soldier surrendered to police last Wednesday over the killing he allegedly perpetrated in 2005 of an activist in Camarines Sur province, a police official said.

Sr. Insp. Virgilio Olalia, chief of police of the Pasacao Police Station in Camarines Sur, said Corporal Esteban Vivar of the Philippine Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion voluntarily surrendered with the assistance of Capt. Allan Cornejo of the military’s Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO).

Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG commander Chief Supt. Geary Barias identified Vivar as the suspect behind the killing of Delio Apolinar, a member of a local peasant organization in Pasacao, last April 25, 2005.

“Task Force USIG hailed the surrender of the Army corporal linked to the murder of a Bicol activist as a gesture of good faith on the part of the military establishment to cooperate in the investigation of cases involving military personnel,” Barias said in a statement.

A case of murder had already been filed earlier on against Vivar, CAFGU Active Auxilliary Ronnie Canet and two John does before the Regional Trial Court Branch 61 of Naga City.

Apolinar was found dead along the national highway in Sitio Canal, Barangay Pahay in Pasacao, Barias said.

Asked if Vivar claimed that the motive for the killing is personal in nature or was sanctioned by his officials, Olalia replied: “He didn’t mention anything. He just surrendered to this office.”

Barias said that prior to his surrender, Vivar was under the custody of his unit commander and was restricted inside the camp.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Human Rights Office chief Lt. Col. Benedicto Jose said the case involving Vivar is just one of the 18 cases of alleged human rights violations perpetrated by military personnel that he is monitoring.

Although not certain, Benedicto said Vivar must also be facing an administrative case at the Philippine Army./DMS