CHR to probe murder of labor leader in Talisay

THE regional Commission on Human Rights is investigating the murder of a labor leader in Barangay Maghaway, Talisay City last month.

CHR chief investigator Leo Villarino said they took cognizance of the murder of Partidong Manggagawa labor organizer Orlando Abangan who was killed while heading home to Maghaway on board a motorcycle at past 9 p.m. last Sept. 17.

“We took cognizance of this incidence motu proprio and also (because) this case has been brought to our attention by the Regional Tripartite Monitoring Board (RTMB) who were called by the International Labor Organization on incidents of killing of labor leaders,” he said.

Villarino said they will determine whether Abangan’s death is labor-related or not.

He said there was no evidence that the murder was drug related even if the suspect identified as Julian Boghanoy Jr. was killed in a raid at a councilman’s home.

Bonghanoy died in a shootout between police and Barangay Maghaway councilman Felix Abacajan Jr. at his home two weeks ago.

The shootout also resulted in the death of Abacajan’s brother Joeser Abacajan.

The councilman and his brother were facing charges of illegal firearms possession and were being investigated by police on their alleged links to suspected drug lord Franz Sabalones who surrendered to police.

Villarino said the RTMB will convene on Oct. 28 to discuss the reports of the investigation conducted by both the police and the CHR on Abangan’s death.