Human Rights Online Philippines

MindaNews » Family seeks reinvestigation of Peñas case.
By Walter I. Balane
July 28, 2012

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/27 July) – The family of slain Sumilao, Bukidnon farmer-leader Renato “Ka Rene” Peñas is pushing for a reinvestigation of his case after it was closed in 2010 after the two witnesses retracted their affidavits.

Wopsyjenn Peñas, daughter of the slain farmer, told MindaNews that more than three years after he was shot to death, justice remains elusive for his father.

Peñas was a leader of the Sumilao farmers who established the Mapalad Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which demanded the full redistribution of 94 hectares of the 114-hectare Quisumbing estate in San Vicente, Sumilao. The farmers staged a grueling Sumilao to Manila march in 2007 to press their demand.

The younger Peñas said they have a serious problem in their quest for justice since the police had allegedly refused to reopen the investigation because the family cannot present a new witness.

Napoleon Merida Jr., chairperson of the Panaw Sumilao Multi-purpose Cooperative, said a police investigator in Sumilao had told them it is still possible to reopen the case if the family can present a new witness.

“That’s a problem because we have no new witness. We also think that it’s the job of the police, not us the victims,” Merida stressed.

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