The Philippine National Police of Himamaylan City is an institution of cowards who never acted to bring into the open the impartial result their investigation. Together with the Philippine Army they maneuvered to hide the truth.

Diocese of Negros Occidental | IGLESIA FILIPINA INDEPENDIENTE | Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist | Bago City, Negros Occidental | “Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing." Jeremiah 26.15

The killing of an innocent man is a tragedy bigger than life for the breath can be halted but the spirit and principles one tried to live will continue to flourish even after the body is obliterated. Benjie’s body is now resting but his voice is continuously crying in a deafening silence since no one in the state authority seemed determine in extending justice.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines was in constant denial on the murder of Benjie Bayles, a Church worker who stand in solidarity with the peasants and farmers in Brgy. Suay, Himamaylan Negros Occidental, even the murderers admitted during the time they were apprehended that they are organic members of the Philippine Army.

The Philippine National Police of Himamaylan City is an institution of cowards who never acted to bring into the open the impartial result their investigation. Together with the Philippine Army they maneuvered to hide the truth.

As a Spiritual leader and responsible citizen of this Republic I take liberty in declaring that the institutions like the PNP and the AFP are not serious in realizing their sacred vow of defending the welfare of the people.  Worst, they are murderers of those who are in the side of truth. Their credibility is grimly tarnished with more than a thousand cases of killings and hundred cases of enforced disappearances, tortures and harassments attributed to them.

Last, October 7, 2010 during the budget hearing in Congress the Department of National Defense (DND)through Sec. Voltaire Gazmin admitted that the killers of Bayles are indeed members of their military. Left without other choices after the admittance, the 3rd  Infantry Battalion spokesperson 1st Lt Posadas and head  Major General Fortu  who once firm in denying is now singing a different song. Life is cheap when it comes to their ploy. It is a crime against humanity, it is a genocide policy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

 It will not take a genius to read the messages AFP try to convey:  (1) that whoever will attempt to stand for the rights of the poor, oppressed, deprived and exploited shall face the annihilation sanctioned by the state, and (2) that tacit policy will here to stay even there is a change in the presidency.  There are already 16 political killings 100 days into the presidency of Benigno Aquino III.

It is utterly unacceptable that our military and police who devour the lions cut in the total national budget whose money is coming from the citizens are acting in an utterly absurd manner.  

Now that the truth is unfolding itself we are registering again our demand:

1.    Appeal to the office of the President to give due attention and help including protection and financial support to the witnesses and their families, serious investigation of the real identities of the suspects and their connections, and protection with financial support to the family and concerned individuals especially human rights defenders working on the case.

2.    We demand the immediate suspension of Col. Ricardo Bayhon, commanding officer of 61st IB and his S2 (intelligence staff) Lt. Dida, and investigation under international observation on the above stated accusations.

3.    We demand immediate suspension of the commanding Himamaylan PNP officer and the investigation of the case under international observation.

4.    Immediately, it needs to be cleared why the 61st IB denied having the accused among their ranks.

5.    Immediately it needs to be cleared why the police did not follow the leads. With all due respect, it is an evidence of total incapacity if it needs a civic society groups to unearth both the background of the accused as well as the illegal case manipulations.

6.    Immediately, it needs to be cleared what particular role Col. Ricardo Bayhon played in the killing of Benjamin Bayles.

7.    Genuine Protection as we have hints and do believe that military hit men are out to eliminate key persons in the bayles case.  These are (i) Mr. Fred Caña from KARAPATAN; (ii) Atty. Benjamin T. Ramos, Jr., the legal representative of the Bayles family; (iii) the prime witness of the Bayles killing; (iv) Mr. Larry Trinidad of radio Mindanao Network and (v) Jaime Lim, a Bacolod based journalist.

Yours Sincerely,



THE RIGHT REVEREND FELOMINO N. ANG
Interim Bishop, Diocese of Negros Occidental
Iglesia Filipina Independiente