PNP files murder raps on leader, three others, of leftist group

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed murder charges before the Malabon City Prosecutors Office against a leader and three members of the leftist group Partisano-Armado Operatiba ng Marxista-Leninista ng Pilipinas who said to be behind in the murder of Merlin Sumera, a journalist, near her house last March 22.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Robredo identified those charged with murder as Carlos Alejandro, leader of the group and three of his unidentified members.

According to Robredo, the Malabon City police chief Senior Supt. Cornelio Barrios said they already filed grave threats charges against Emma Nuqui who reportedly threatened Sumera with harm over a dispute involving a parcel of land in Barangay Maysilo, Malabon.

It was learned that Sumera and Nuque are presidents of two “warring” homeowners’ associations in the same neighborhood.

Sumera, 44, married, a mother of three, reportedly had been tackling in her radio program over dzME about the land disputes of her neighborhood. She was gunned down while on her way to work.

“I have given instructions to Colonel Barrios to extend support to the Sumera family in their quest to bring her killers to the bar of justice,” Robredo said.

The DILG chief said Alejandro, whom he suspected for using an alias, is also believed to be behind the murder of Edwin Abella, a barangay captain from Navotas City.

After Abella was gunned down, the suspected Partisano members threw leaflets beside his body bearing the Partisano letterhead and information, claiming responsibility and justifying what they did to the slain barangay official.

Partisano claimed that Abella was engaged in several estafa cases, dynamite fishing, local syndicate leader, protector of local drug syndicates, and for allegedly molesting on different occasions a 13-year-old girl in San Agustin, Malabon and a 12-year-old girl from Tondo, Manila last year. –Gina Peralta-Elorde, Daily Tribune