Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cotabato (Agenzia Fides) - Jimmy Ato, the man arrested by the police and accused of killing the missionary father, Fausto Tentorio on October 17 in Arakan, on the island of Mindanao, has denied being the killer but has indicated the alleged masterminds of the Crime: According to Ato, a local politician, William Buenaflor and the inspector Benjamin Rioflorido, chief of the police of Arakan are the people behind the crime.
As local sources of Fides report, the 35 year-old Ato told agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that they did not shot the priest, but had participated in the execution plan. Ato was brought to Cagayan de Oro, where he signed a four-page statement, telling his story and saying he is willing to cooperate with investigators. In the statement, which Fides has read, Ato indicates the brothers Joe and Dima Sampolna, residents in Culaman, the Fr Tentorio’s killers. He then mentions William Buenaflor, a political who canditated as Mayor (and was not elected) in the last elections in Arakan, and the inspector Benjamin Rioflorido, chief of the police of Arakan, as instigators of the crime, without explaining the possible reasons for their involvement. Ato claims to have received 1,500 pesos for his work as a "lookout" and had received death threats to keep silent about the case. Finally, he reports having attended the meeting to draw up the plan of the crime, held at Buenaflor’s home the day before the murder.
Investigators, note sources of Fides, are now trying to verify the facts narrated by Ato. The Deputy Director of the NBI, Virgilio Mendez said that Ato might be helpful to identify "perpetrators and the people behind the murder". The two men called into question as the alleged masterminds, according to initial reactions, deny any wrongdoing and they speak of "throwing off tack". Rioflorido has withdrawn from his post.
According to Father Jun Mercado, OMI missionary of Cotabato and professor at the "Institute for Autonomy and Governance" at the "Notre Dame" university in Cotabato, the reasons behind Fr Tentorio’s murder must be sought in three directions: "The missionary – notes to Fides Fr. Mercado – was working for the promotion and self-organization of the indigenous communities, especially in the area of the ancestral domain of the land. This was a threat to agricultural land-owning companies of Arakan. Secondly, this work would have disturbed the mining companies in the area of Columbia. Third point, forming the conscience and promoting the rights of indigenous people and poor touches the dominant positions of those who hold political power". Fr. Mercado added that "the paramilitary groups may be involved as hired by companies or politicians, to carry out their interests". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/01/2012)
