The head of Kalinga provincial police, Chief Supt. Pedro Ramos, is being sought after a supposed rash of unsolved killings including the ambush of Bayan Muna (People First) provincial chairman Dr. Constancio Claver and his family two weeks ago.

BY ACE ALEGRE
Bulatlat.com

La Trinidad, Benguet – The head of Kalinga provincial police chief Supt. Pedro Ramos is being sought after a supposed rash of unsolved killings including the ambush of Bayan Muna (People First) provincial chairman Dr. Constancio Claver and his family two weeks ago.

Those who have called for Ramos’ relief from his post included United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues chairperson Victoria Tauli-Corpuz. She had personally asked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, and other security officials through a letter sent to them to relieve Ramos.

Corpuz said the police director must be probed “for his possible role in these dastardly acts.” He should be removed from his post while the investigation is going on, she said.

The UN official’s letter furnished also to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Prof. Rodolfo Stavenhagen of the Geneva-based UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom of Indigenous Peoples also showed her “grave concern over the unabated political killings here in the Philippines.”

Rash of “unsolved” killings

A rash of alleged “extra-judicial killings” in Kalinga reportedly began when Ramos took over the police command from S/Supt. James Dugao on March 8 this year.

At least 16 civilians were reportedly killed and seven others were wounded in 12 violent incidents from March 7 to July 31, 2006.

On March 7, women’s leader Mercy Gonzalo, husband Salvador Gonzalo and son-in-law Charlie Kadater were killed in Ubbog, Magsaysay, Tabuk while Albano Lay-og was wounded. Exactly a week later, former Army trooper Alex Noval was killed in Nasgueban, Magsaysay, Tabuk. The next day, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent Amor Gubiangan was shot to death at the gate of the Municipal Park in Dagupan Centro, Tabuk, a few meters away from the police station.

Then on March 17, Jimmy Dalire was shot to death at close range when he and his three-year-old daughter were watching a television program at their home in Purok 6, Bulanao, Tabuk.

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