Karapatan-Negros yesterday denounced the request of the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Army to convene the Negros Occidental Peace and Order Council Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the reported disappearance of an organizer of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers on Dec. 5.

The request of Brig. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, 303rd IB commanding general to Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon to convene the NOPPOC fact-finding committee to determine the persons involved, and reasons for alleged disappearance of NFSW organizer Persues Geagoni, 42, of Brgy. Zone 4, Talisay City, was called a "publicity gimmick to imprint before the public the army has nothing to do with it", Karapan said in a press release.

Geagoni, who has been missing for more than 20 days now was a victim of enforced disappearance, the press release claimed.

Fred Cana, KARAPATAN-Negros spokesperson, said in a press statement, their sources disclosed the Military Intelligence Command 6 were responsible for Geagoni's disappearance. They said about 30 members of covert intelligence operatives, some Tagalog-speaking, were responsible for the abduction, the press release said.

The group asked Fojas to investigate his men first before asking militant groups to produce "proof" that the military is behind the disappearance of Geagoni.*DMG

back to top