ROXAS CONDEMNS KILLING OF PEASANT LEADER IN MINDANAO

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today denounced the killing of Mindanao-based peasant leader Vicente "Ka Vic" Paglinawan, who was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-riding men during the weekend in Malabog, Davao City .

The 51-year old Paglinawan was vice president for Mindanao of the PAKISAMA (Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka or the National Confederation and Movement of Peasant Organizations). He died after being shot three times in the head.

"I condemn this shameful and cowardly act of people who have no respect for life and beliefs. I demand justice for Ka Vic's brutal killing," Roxas said, also vowing that "I will extend all the assistance available until his killers are arrested and put behind bars."

The senator also extended his condolences to the family of Ka Vic, who is survived by his wife Aida and four children.

"Nakikiramay po ako sa pamilyang naiwan ni Ka Vic. Alam ko kung gaano kasakit at kahirap ang mawalan ng ka-pamilya. Naiintindihan ko kung ano ang pinagdaraanan ni Aling Aida at ang apat nilang anak sa panahong ito. (I condole with the family of Ka Vic. I know how painful and difficult it is to lose a loved one. I understand what Aling Aida and their four children are undergoing right now)," he said.

Ka Vic was doing ground work in Mindanao for a planned December 3 national mobilization of farmers and various support groups aimed at pushing the House of Representatives to approve a pending measure proposing the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), funding for which expired in June this year.

He spearheaded a successful P6 million agri-cooperative called the MIEDECO. He rose to the leadership of PAKISAMA and became one of its presidents and executive committee members. He is also one of the leaders of the non-government organizations PANDAYAN and AKBAYAN in Mindanao.

PAKISAMA is a national confederation of 28 peasant organizations located in 30 provinces in the Philippines and two national sectoral federations of women and fisher folk. These organizations have combined membership strength of about 20,000 small farmers, marginal fisher folk and rural women.