The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) demanded the immediate sacking of PRO 5 Regional Director BGen. Jonnel Estomo, Guinobatan, Albay police chief Maj. Joel Jarabejo over the heinous killing of farmer Jaymar Palero of the Organisasyon ng mga Magsasaka sa Albay (OMA), and human rights activist Marlon Naperi, 38, member of the Albay People’s Organization, an affiliate of Karapatan-Bicol. The two activists were killed by the police while painting graffiti at the Banao Bridge along Maharlika Highway in Guinobatan. 

“We demand justice for Jemar Palero and Marlon Naperi. We want all those involved in the shooting and killing of Palero and Naperi be publicly identified. A full-scale independent investigation is also imperative. We cannot trust the words of the police. The activists were just painting graffiti. The overkill deployment and response of the police and military are condemnable,” according to KMP. 

According to news reports, Palero and Naperi were gunned down by the Albay Provincial Mobile Force Company, Guinobatan Municipal Police, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Regional Intelligence Unit 5, 93rd Special Action Company of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force, 97th Military Intelligence Company, and 49th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. 

KMP chairperson Danilo Ramos said BGen. Estomo and Maj. Jarabejo is spewing lies when they said the activists were armed and had a shootout with the police. The “nanlaban” narrative has become a convenient alibi of trigger-happy police elements who has no qualms of shooting civilians. Walang body camera ang mga police kaya walang makakapagpatunay sa paratang ng pulis na may armas ang dalawang aktibista. Lantarang pagpatay ang ginawa ng mga pulis sa dalawang aktibista. 

The farmers’ group said the police and military are emboldened by Duterte’s kill, kill, kill policy and the reigning culture of impunity. The government’s Memorandum Order No. 32 also imposed in the Bicol region since 2018 have led to a series of state-sponsored killings and human rights violation. From 2016 to 2021, there were 223 victims of extrajudicial killings and six incidents of state forces-instigated massacres in Bicol region. #