Palace to activists: If soldiers killed Dutch, prove it

MANILA, Philippines — Show evidence, the Palace dared activist groups Saturday, July 7, amid accusations that the military masterminded the killing of Dutch national Wilhelm Geertman in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“They have always been linking the military and that’s why I’m telling them, ‘Look guys, if you wanna accuse the military, do so with evidence. If you don’t, then don’t just keep on attacking the military,” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in an interview aired over the state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Those accusing the military could forward their evidence to the task force created to investigate the case, Lacierda said. “You have to rely on the task force to investigate,” he said.

Lacierda added, “We condemn the murder of the Dutch worker. He’s been helping this country in his sphere of activities and we commend him for that.”

The San Fernando Police, which is handling Geertman’s case, is exploring the angle that Geertman was killed primarily for money. San Fernando police chief Supt Luisito Magnaye said this is based on pieces of evidence available so far, which do not include proof of military involvement. (Read: Police, activists clash on Dutch’s murder.)

Geertman, executive director of the group Alay-Bayan Luson Inc, was shot dead in front of his office last July 3. (Read: Dutch missionary shot dead in Angeles.)

‘Barbaric act’ 

Various groups have shown outrage over Geertman’s death.

A religious group, called Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), condemned the murder of a “co-worker in the vineyard.”

“This barbaric act that brought another injustice to a fellow church worker is not only outrageous but also deplorable. In times when we are stricken by natural disasters, people who help are not spared by state violence,” the group said.

PCPR also suggested the murder was done within the context of Oplan Bayanihan, a counter-insurgency program. The group then urged the Dutch government to press Philippine authorities to investigate Geertman’s killing as well as other similar incidents.

“We strongly encourage fellow church people to never give up the struggle to defend human rights and defend the defenders until ‘there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away,’” added the group, quoting the Bible. – Rappler.com

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