MURDER OF DIDIPIO VILLAGE CHIEF BEING LINKED TO BUSINESS, POLITICAL RIVALRY	June 6, 2008

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya - Police Supt. Doming Lucas, Provincial Director here, disclosed different angles as to the motive of the murder Tuesday of Barangay Captain Paulino Baguilat, 55 years old, at Sitio Pimmadek, Barangay Didipio, Kasibu town.

Lucas said the police is looking into the angle of a business rivalry where Baguilat was connected with 3K Construction Company which was awarded numerous small-scale sub-contract project like rip-rapping of road gutters by Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc.

Lucas said one of the sub-contract bidders who lost in the bidding had allegedly threatened the victim before the shooting incident.

Another angle, Lucas said, have some other Councilors maintaining a grudge against Baguilat who as Barangay Captain allegedly enjoys benefits and privileges from Oceana Gold.

Lucas also mentioned in his report something work-related. Lucas said Baguilat was settling a land dispute between two residents claiming to be the owner of two hectares of land being purchased by Oceana Gold. Baguilat was seen having lunch with one of the land claimants and the other may have seen this as favoritism on the part of the barangay captain.

Lucas said investigation would continue after Baguilat’s burial, including gathering of statements from witnesses.

Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma sent a letter to Manuel Gaite, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, explaining the legality of the Cease and Desist Order she issued on April 9. She maintained that the said order follows provisions of the Provincial Revenue Code of Nueva Vizcaya in accordance with the Local Government Code.

“The proper remedy of any person who is aggrieved by an ordinance of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is to question the legality of the ordinance either with the Secretary of Justice or the Courts. But in the meantime that the legality of the ordinance is being questioned, the ordinance in question will remain to be valid and in force,” Cuaresma stated.

Oceana Gold is reportedly continuing its mining operations 24 hours a day. In a press statement issued by Oceana Gold, it said a Philippines official warned anti-mining groups blocking the major gold-copper project in Didipio that they are committing an illegal act. It said the Melbourne-based company is currently building facilities for mining the $320-million project scheduled for production on 2010.

An anonymous letter was circulated by still unidentified people stating that prior to Baguilat’s murder, Cuaresma was persuading the barangay chief to join the group in the enforcement of the CDO but the village chief declined and so came his fatal shooting on the evening of the same day. The letter stated that the provincial staff and their armed contingent did not respond to the gunshots despite the proximity of the crime scene.

Cuaresma however denied having talked to Baguilat as reported. She instead signed another order requiring Lucas, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Noel Alino, and National Bureau of Investagion Chief, Paul Rivera to conduct a thorough investigation of the case, to keep peace and order in Didipio, and to put under control “abuses by the management of Oceana Gold.” .#gene basilio