NBI investigation into Sarmiento deaths underway
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DAVAO CITY — Investigations are under way to determine the credibility of an eyewitness and his testimony regarding the killing of Malita mayoral candidate Isidro Sarmiento and his son Danny who was shot to death outside allegedly by Rep. Claude Bautista and his bodyguards.
In the aftermath of the killing, PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Andres Caro formed Task Force Sarmiento, composed of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and different units of the PNP in the region and in the province.
Atty. Renato Mandawe, NBI-XI executive officer, said the NBI, which is working closely with TF Sarmiento, has under its protective custody an eyewitness of the incident and Isidro Sarmiento Jr. one of the son of the elder Sarmiento who will file the complaint against the Bautista’s regarding the incident.
During an earlier media interview Rep. Bautista, who is running for Davao del Sur admitted that it was his bodyguards who shot the Sarmientos but in the act of self-defense as they were fired at first by the Sarmientos.
Rep. Bautista said he went to the Sarmiento residence to talk to Danny about the information he received that they have taken some election returns from the Comelec office in Malita. Rep. Bautista’s brother, Benjamin the incumbent provincial Governor is Isidro’s rival for the mayoralty position of Malita.
In the middle of their conversation, according to Rep. Bautista, the elder Sarmiento appeared and fired at them, hitting one bodyguard and that prompted his details to fire back. The younger Sarmiento then fired upon one of the bodyguards but was also fell down by the return fire.
But the eyewitness belied Rep. Bautista’s account of the incident. According to eyewitness, he was two arms’ length away from the party involved when the incident happened. The NBI also bared that initial report from the PNP Scene-of-the-Crime Operative (SOCO) showed that Isidro Sarmiento’s gun jammed and was not able to fire as the slug was still in the gun chamber.
Atty. Mantawe said they are still investigating the incident particularly checking if the eyewitness testimony is material to the case. Mantawe also said that the incident happened in front of many people. Meanwhile also under TF Sarmiento custody is the bodyguard of Rep. Bautista which was wounded during the incident, the bodyguard identified as Tito Alipaopao is recuperating in a Davao City hospital.
Meanwhile Regional Peace and Order Council Chairman, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he expects the Comelec to act on the Malita incident, since the situation is under their jurisdiction as it happened within election-time. But the Mayor says he will help in case Comelec will ask for his assistance. (PIA/RG Alama)
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May 18th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
everyone scared in malita at the moment specially sarmiento family and relatives,last night at barangay felis where isidro sarmiento body lies at his parents house,his tenant house burnt.luckily no one harm in that incident….so please….this a personal message to “mayor duterte”the life of this family is in danger…please help…help…help before its too late.
May 20th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
the bautistas are too much including their sister si Lorna who is actually the desperate one. She sits in the public offices of her brothers para gawin negosyo ang position nila. Napaka kurangot niyan. Dapat mahinto na yan sila.
May 20th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
the late sarmientos burried today at 2; pm…nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat na dumalo sa sa libing…at sa lahat na nag-abang sa kalsada for last goodbye…its a very sad moment for the people of malita today bago sila inilibing ay inikot muna nila sa huling pagkakataon ang bayan ng malita…malungkot lang nasa loob na sila ng kabaong,ang hirap tanggapin na mag ama silang pinatay..
May 20th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
nagpapasalamat din kami sa mga sundalo na nag babantay sa sarmiento family at sa bayan ng mmlita.sana ang kanilang kamatayan an magsilbing gabay upang maituwid ang “corrupt” na nasa pwesto.at maparusahan ang mga “killer”na alam natin kung sino sila…..in memory of isidro sarmiento and son danilo sarmiento….we missed you…
May 21st, 2007 at 11:35 am
I have known the Sarmientos personally and there is no way such aggression is close to to their way of resolving conflicts as claimed by their alledged killers. I hope na ang mga baboy na nasa pwesto na responsable sa pagkamatay in Danny at Nung Sidro will get what they deserve. I hope too that this will open the eyes of the people from Malita to vote wisely and to stand up against this type of violence. And to Jun, Edgardo and Maryjane Sarmiento, we are one with you in missing our beloved Nung Isidro and Danilo (Danny). From across the miles
May 21st, 2007 at 2:57 pm
ihawon ang baboy na nagpatay sa ilang duha… dapat sila barangon, panitpanitan, samadsamaran ug patakan ug kalamansi bag-o patyon tong mga pisting yawang inatay na nagpatay sa ilahang duha…
May 21st, 2007 at 3:03 pm
p.s. asa naman si baboy ron? confirmed naman daw na xa ang nagtira… as what i’ve heard… nakasibat naman daw sya… maayo untag madisgrasya ang animal para matagam… unya kung bali-bali gani iyang bukog… dapat kuhaon ang iyang mga bukog… ayaw sa sya patya, paantusa sa sya… unya patya nalang pud taod-taod… nyahahahaha…
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:58 am
hoy, claudine diana bautista. nakakahiya naman yang daddy mo! MAMATAY TAO. sinungaling pa gyud! GUSTO PA BALIKTARIN YUNG MGA PANGYAYARI! SIYA ANG BUMARIL KAY MANUNG ISIDRO AT KAY DANILO! hindi yung bodyguard kundi siya mismo! alam ng daddy mo ‘yan. BALASUBAS TALAGA ‘YAN! AUDING SAGUTIN MO ANG BATAS! ‘WAG KANG BAKAKON!
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:16 am
to Isidro jr., maryjane,edgardo and to all the sarmiento clan of malita, davao del sur.
I have known your family. Most of the Sarmiento family members are simple and helpful members of the Malita community. None of you has ever been involved in troubles and quarrels. You are people of peace. Too bad, Manong Isidro died with such a horrible death along with Danilo under the hands of a man nga nagapa-hawud-hawod diha sa Davao Del Sur. God knows the truth and no matter how much the perpetrators deny it, they cannot fool God. May God have mercy on the killers’ soul. God will give you justice.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:26 am
Mayor Duterte tabangi intawon ang mga Sarmiento sa Malita maka-angkon ug hustisya sa pagkapatay sa ilang paryente nga si Isidro Sarmiento Sr. ug Engr. Danilo Sarmiento. Way katungod ang si bisan kinsa nga mopukan sa kinabuhi sa uban sa bisan unsa pa nga katarungan. tabangi sila sir please. It’s not about politics anymore, it’s about life of those left behind.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:29 am
sorry for being late!
i personally know both parties envolved in this conflict and i cant believed that they(specially the BAUTISTA’s) made these horrible scenario in exchange of the thirst and hunger for power? why not make their way along to the top,i mean presidency..if they want to grab everything?and its sad to know but its a fact that they are willing to rule davao del sur for life!!see and noticed how the younger generations of bautista’s are faring in the recent local elections?are they really BLESSED with powers or the are power to be blessed with all the oportunity to be power grabers for life?
August 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Kinahanglan bayaran sa mga Bautista ilang mga atraso dili lang sa mga sarmiento daghan na kaau silag mga kabuang gibuhat sa Malita