Philippine peasant leader shot dead; Up to 40 mafia-style executions since President Benigno Aquino III assumed power

ISABELA PROVINCE -- (RTTNews) Unidentified gunmen have shot dead the leader of a left-leaning farmers' outfit in northern Philippines in continuing violence against political activists there, a police spokesman has been quoted as saying in media reports on Friday.

 

The attack on 61-year old Bonifacio Labasan took place at San Mateo town in Isabela province, 300 kilometers north of the capital Manila. Labasan, who headed the Union of Peasants in northern Cagayan Valley province, died on the spot after he suffered gunshot wounds to the head and abdomen.

 

According to police, they were still trying to figure out reasons for the attack.

 

Meanwhile, a Philippine human rights group said in a report that up to 40 mafia-style executions have been recorded since June when President Benigno Aquino III assumed power. Further the group said most of the victims thus killed were political activists.

 

Moreover the rights group said it had recorded 1206 suspected cases of assassinations carried out during the nine-year reign of former President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Most of these cases however, could not be cracked by police.

 

Besides political assassinations, the South Asian country has been plagued by a long-running left-wing guerrilla movement as well as a Muslim insurgency.

 

by RTT Staff Writer