NEWS RELEASE September 9, 2014 AFP Chief of Staff Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. among ground commanders during Hacienda Luisita massacre During the budget hearing of the Department of National Defense (DND), Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap today questioned newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on the Hacienda Luisita massacre that happened in Tarlac on November 16, 2004. Catapangs hands are soiled with the blood of Luisita farmers killed by the Presidents family, the Cojuangco-Aquinos, aided by state forces almost 10 years ago. After almost a decade, perpetrators and leading figures behind the massacre remain unpunished. As for Catapang, he even got promoted to the highest post of the military bureaucracy, Hicap said. Catapang was among the ground commanders during the gruesome Hacienda Luisita massacre that killed seven farmworkers and land reform advocates demanding for land distribution of Hacienda Luisitas 6,746 has. of lands. Catapang was then serving as an officer of the AFPs Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and was directly responsible for the deployment of NOLCOM soldiers and armored personnel carriers (tanks) in the strike area. Catapang was among the military respondents for charges of Multilple Murder, Multiple Frustrated Murder, Multiple Attempted Murder, Theft, and Malicious Mischief filed by Luisita farmworkers after the massacre. The case was dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2010, several months after Aquino assumed the presidency. Kin of victims and survivors of the massacre have filed a motion for reconsideration on the case before the Ombudsman last August 4, 2014 Catapang served the President well. The four-star insignia on his shoulders and his bemedalled uniform are proof of his blood-stained servitude to the Cojuangco-Aquinos, the solon said. Hicap said massacre perpetrators, like Gen. Catapang and notorious Palparan henchman Col. Ricardo Visaya have since been promoted to higher posts in the military, while some of the original complainants like Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU) President Ricardo Ramos, and United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) officer Tirso Cruz have become victims of the spate of extra-judicial killings (EJK) after the massacre. We demand justice for the victims of Hacienda Luisita massacre. We will always hold the AFP accountable for the heinous crimes against the people, Hicap said. ## Reference: Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 06:41:20 +0000