CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Militant members of the Lower House have filed a resolution directing the House Committee on Human Rights to probe the killing of a Pampanga farmer-leader on the eve of the last Christmas.
Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao and six others fi led House Resolution No. 679 referring to the killing of Jimmy Sotto, secretary general of the farmers’ group Aguman da reng Maglalautang Capampangan (AMC) who was shot dead by still unknown motorcycle-riding suspects at about 6:30 p.m. last Dec. 24 in San Jose, Floridablanca town.
The resolution noted that Sotto “was actively organizing farmers and helping them on land issues with the assistance of AMC and the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson and was also chair of the Barangay Agrarian Reform Council (BARC) in his town.” The resolution noted that Sotto’s daughter, who was with her father when the two motorcycle-riding suspects attacked, survived gunshot wounds.
It noted that Sotto and his daughter were buying some rice cakes some 100 meters from their house when the suspects fired at them.
Sotto’s wife Marly and other relatives saw the suspects fleeing on their motorcycle. The resolution noted the wife maintained that Sotto was killed “in retaliation for aiding farmers who face agrarian dispute.”
It said the probe sought from the Committee on Human Rights was “in aid of legislation.”
