By LITO RULONA and EDWIN IYO
Correspondents
THE New People’s Army (NPA) yesterday owned responsibility for the brutal killing of losing candidate for Gingoog councilor Francisco “Dodong” Baguiz in Sitio Kidahon, Barangay Malinao, Gingoog City on Monday morning.
NPA spokesman Allan Juanito said the revolutionary group meted the death penalty on Baguiz, and the attack was carried out by members of the NPA’s Wanas subegional command.
He said Baguiz was sentenced by the NPA as early as 2005. On Monday, assailants took turns in stabbing a handcuffed Baguiz.
Juanito said rebels seized from Baguiz, a former police officer turned religious sect leader, two M16 rifles with 14 magazines, two bullet proof vests, two caliber .45 pistols, a caliber .40 pistol with five magazines, and two VHF radios.
He said the NPA had sentenced Baguiz to death for alleged land grabbing in Barangay Syoan, Malinao and other hinterland barangays.
Juanito linked Baguiz to thefts, extortion using the NPA, and murder cases, and named him as a suspect in the gruesome shooting death of local politician Mark Bagaipo.
He said Baguiz also used his religious sect, Gintong Araw, against members of the NPA.
Meanwhile, Gingoog Mayor Marie Guingona condemned the killing of his partymate and candidate for councilor.
In a press statement, Guingona said Baguiz was on his way back to Gingoog City when he was seized by an armed group in Sitio Kidahon, Barangay Malinao.
“Mar Baguiz was a friend, a retired police officer, a member of our slate as a candidate for city councilor in the most recent local election, and a long-time supporter. His death is a tragic loss for our city and our people,” Guingona said.
Baguiz founded the religious group Apocalypse International Ministries Inc., also known as Gintong Araw, based in Sitio Sioan in Barangay Malinao in Gingoog City.
Police said Baguiz was driving a pick-up truck when he was flagged down by 30 fully armed men wearing Army uniforms in Sitio Kibalikin in Malinao. The group allegedly identified themselves as members of the 58th Infantry Battalion.
SPO4 Teddy Macarayo said Baguiz got out of the vehicle and must have thought that government troops flagged his vehicle down.
Macarayo said that according to witnesses, Baguiz was handcuffed and brought by the armed men to a secluded area where he was stabbed to death.
“Let there be no stone left unturned in our quest for justice for Dodong Baguiz,” Guingona said.
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