Kidnap-murder of Muslim woman in Ecija condemned
DEPUTY Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Wednesday condemned the killing of a Muslim woman in Nueva Ecija who was allegedly kidnapped by members of the police and burned to conceal evidence of the brutal crime.
Hataman also asked PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar for an exhaustive investigation into the kidnapping, killing and burning of Nadia Casar, an online seller, that allegedly involved law enforcement officers.
“It is reprehensible to think that those who are supposed to protect and serve the people are the same ones behind this savagery. Sobra itong nakakagalit at marapat lamang na imbestigahan ito ng PNP at papanagutin ang mga may sala,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said.
“Hustisya ang isinisigaw ng mga kaanak at kaibigan ni Nadia Casar, pati na rin ng buong Muslim community sa bansa. Hers was a life cut short because of the greed of people, people who are supposed to protect her in the first place,” he added.
Reports reaching the lawmakers office indicate that Casar’s charred remains were recovered in Sitio Pinagpala, Bgy. Imelda Valley, Palayan City in Nueva Ecija. Her money and jewelry were allegedly stolen.
Four of the seven suspects are reportedly now in police custody: police officers Benedict Matias Reyes, June Malillin, Julius Alcantara and Dario Aligan Robarios. The ones still at large are police officers Rowen Martin, Drextemir Esmundo and Franklin Medina Macapagal.
“Madami na tayong reports ng mga kapatid nating Muslim, lalo na ‘yung mga negosyante, na kinikidnap, pinagnanakawan at pinapatay pa. I urge the PNP to investigate the occurrences of crimes perpetrated by wayward members of the police against Muslims. Para matigil na ang ganitong klaseng mga insidente,” Hataman said.
“At sana rin, magkaroon ng malinaw na polisya ang PNP ng anti-discrimination para sa mga kapatid nating Moro, lalo na yung nabibiktima ng human rights violation at profiling. Handang makipagtulungan ang ating tanggapan kay PNP Chief Gen. Eleazar tungkol dito,” he added.
In September last year, couple Farjana Dugan Coly Saad and Farjan Buat Decampong Saad, both originally from Lanao del Sur, died in a robbery and shooting incident in Pasay City, allegedly perpetrated by “policemen in uniform” according to witness accounts.
Also last year, elements of the Manila police were in an eight-hour standoff with the family and neighbors of Abdullah Palawan Maute and Saadudin Alawiya, also Muslim jewelry traders, in San Andres Bukid in Manila. The police allegedly searched and arrested the victims without a proper warrant and without identifying themselves. Hataman and other lawmakers filed a resolution in June 2020 to probe this incident.
“Hindi na ito bago, pero paulit-ulit na nangyayari. And very alarming itong nangyari kay Nadia Casar, and I sincerely hope the PNP investigates this crime thoroughly,” Hataman said.
