Anakpawis Party-list condemned the killing of one of its municipal coordinators in Southern Mindanao last week, May 25.

Eddie Canon a municipal coordinator of Anakpawis in Mawab Compostela Valley was shot and killed by unidentified men. Initial police investigation showed that Canon sustained multiple gunshot wounds in his head and body.

“The victim allegedly sustained gunshot wounds on his head causing his death,” quoted Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, Compostela Valley Philippine National Police Provincial Director to davaotoday.com.

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, demanded justice for the victim and blamed the military for the said killing.

“The perpetrators of his killing must be arrested and jailed. We blame the  military and the government’s Oplan Bayanihan anti-insurgency campaign for this latest case of politically-motivated extra judicial killing of our coordinator,” said Mariano.

He added that the killing may be related to the military campaign against leaders of progressive groups that protested against the government’s inaction amidst, and responsibility for, the devastation brought by typhoon Pablo last year.

Mawab town was one of the hardest-hit areas affected by typhoon Pablo.

Human rights group Karapatan, confirmed that Canon had been harassed and vilified by elements of the 66th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army before he was killed.

“He was frequently harassed by a certain Sgt. Castillo, Dante Ramirez and two other and vilified Cañon’s affiliation with the progressive party-list,” said Hanimay Suazo, secretary-general of Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Region.