AKBAYAN SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS ON THE KILLING OF DINAGAT PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER WENEFREDO OLOFERNES

I strongly condemn the killing of Dinagat Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Wenefredo Olofernes at the hands of unidentifiable assailants.

I express my deepest condolences to his family and the people of Dinagat Islands.

That this happened just a month after the conduct of the midterm elections exposes the depths of the culture of killing and impunity in the country.

I call on the authorities to conduct a swift and judicious investigation of this incident and bring the perpetrators of this brutal killing to justice.

The people of Dinagat Islands are in the process of deepening democracy and solidifying progressive governance. This gruesome crime should not intimidate or hinder them from realizing their democratic aspirations.