DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A farmer-couple was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Barangay Osmena, Compostela Valley Province on Thursday evening, a local human rights group here said.
Jay Apiag, spokesperson of human rights group Karapatan Southern Mindanao region identified the couple as Leonela Tapdasan Pesadilla, 55 and Ramon Dagaas Pesadilla, 59.
“The assailants forcibly entered their house and immediately shot at them,” Apiag said in a Facebook post, citing the accounts from Pesadilla’s neighbors.
Both are members of Compostela Farmers Association, a local farmers’ group that is vocal against large-scale mining in the Compostela Valley province. CFA has also initiated local campaigns such as the call for genuine agrarian reforms and responsible mining.
Apiag said the couple donated a parcel of land to an NGO-initiated Lumad school Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Learning Center in Sitio Spur Dos, Barangay Ngan, Compostela town. (davaotoday.com)
