Activist killed, third since Aquino assumed office

An activist — a public school teacher in Masbate province — was killed, the third such killing since President Benigno Aquino III assumed office less than two weeks ago. Mark Francisco and four other teachers were ambushed last Friday afternoon in the village of Malibas in Palanas town, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT Teachers) party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said on Friday. The other teachers survived the ambush suspectedly staged by two motorcycle-riding assailants. Francisco, 27, is a member of the party-list's Masbate chapter and taught at the San Isidro Elementary School in Palanas town. In a statement, Tinio condemned the teacher's killing and asked the Education Department to coordinate with the Philippine National Police to protect the other teachers who survived the attack. "We demand justice for our fellow teacher and party-member. Government must immediately take steps to put an end to the violence faced by teachers in Palanas town. The Aquino government’s ability to ensure the well-being and safety of its citizens is being put to the test," said Tinio. The attack and the killing came within one week after another activist — Fernando Baldomero, 61 — was shot dead in front of his 12-year-old child in Estancia village in Kalibo, Aklan on July 5. In his statement on Monday, Tinio on Monday also noted the supposed spate of violence against teachers in Palanas, Masbate. Before Francisco was killed, public school teacher Dexter Legazpi was ambushed on July 6, but he survived the slay attempt. Legazpi is also part of ACT Teachers party-list. Also last Friday, a 78-year-old peasant leader Pascual Guevarra was shot dead inside a military reservation in Laur town, Nueva Ecija. The military denied involvement in the shooting, saying the killing of Guevarra could be due to a land dispute. - Sophia M. Dedace, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV